.
 
 

 
 , 5? 

 
 DR. WILMER'S LOVE; 
 
 OB, 
 
 A QUESTION OF CONSCIENCE. 
 
 A NO VEL. 
 
 BY 
 
 MARGARET LEE, 
 AUTHOE OP "ARNOLD'S CHOICE.' 
 
 NEW YORK : 
 
 D. APPLETON AND COMPANY, 
 443 & 445 BROADWAY. 
 
 1808.
 
 ENTERED, according to Act of Congress, in the year 1807, by 
 
 D. APPLETON & CO., 
 
 In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the 
 Southern District of New York.
 
 CONTENTS. 
 
 FAGB 
 
 CHAP. I. IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE AWAKENED, ... 6 
 
 II. IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE STRENGTHENED, . 20 
 
 III. IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE CONFIRMED, . . .48 
 
 IV. IN WHICH MRS. FERRIS MAKES A MOTE, ... 78 
 
 V. IN WHICH I MEET A RlTAL, 10-t 
 
 VI. AN UNEXPECTED GUEST, . .... 136 
 
 VII. DEFEAT, 169 
 
 Vin. THREE YEARS AFTER, 196 
 
 IX. A DINNER-PARTY, 223 
 
 X. A TALK WITH MR. MASTERS, 239 
 
 XL IN WHICH THE FIRST LINK OF A CURIOUS CHAIN is 
 
 FORGED, 262 
 
 XII. THE CHAIN is LENGTHENED, 285 
 
 XIII. ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FRIEND, .... 305 
 XIV. BETWEEN THE RIFLE-PITS AT FREDERICKSBURG, . . 335 
 XV. IN THE FIELD-HOSPITAL AT GETTYSBURG, . . . 356 
 XVI. How THE LINKS WERE JOINED, .... 875 
 XVII. THE QUESTION ANSWERED, 397
 
 DR. WILMER'S LOVE; 
 
 OR, 
 
 A QUESTION" OF CONSCIENCE 
 
 CHAPTER I. 
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ABE AWAKENED. 
 
 ONE cold evening in winter, I was sitting in my 
 little office, idly pondering over my life, weighing its 
 prospects, and wondering how I should support its 
 necessities. Considering my present position, the ques- 
 tion was growing rather serious. Here was I, John 
 Wilrner, tall, strong, and twenty-eight years of age, 
 with my doctor's diploma framed, and hanging over 
 the fireplace, just where my eyes could rest on it, with 
 the least upward movement of my head. I had studied 
 and toiled hard for that diploma, dreamed of it at night, 
 thought of it by day; and now that it was mine, honestly 
 won, it somehow had not the power of raising my 
 spirits, or nerving me with fresh courage. 
 
 In fact, I had not a cent in my pocket or out of it. 
 I owed the landlady and the washerwoman, and my
 
 6 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 tailor had long ceased dunning me, finding of how little 
 use it was. For the first time, since starting in my 
 career as a doctor, I thought of writing to my mother, 
 and asking her to advance me a small loan. Pride, 
 and the knowledge that the loss of even a trifling sum 
 would deprive her of many little comforts, had, so far, 
 prevented me from doing it. Thus, I was sitting, 
 gloomily meditating over ways and means, when a loud 
 peal at my bell made me start from my chair, with a 
 slight hope that this might be a case where I could 
 conscientiously ask a fee, in proportion to the skill and 
 care expended. Hitherto my patients had not been of 
 the paying class ; poor and miserable in the majority, 
 their cases had drawn heavily on my skill, and added 
 materially to my practical medical education ; but pro- 
 portionate charges were out of the question. 
 
 While this wild hope was passing through my brain, 
 I was making my way to the door. I opened it, and a 
 man sprang in hastily, calling out 
 
 " Are you the doctor ? " 
 
 " Yes, I am Doctor Wilmer." 
 
 "The master is dying, and Doctor (naming a 
 
 celebrated physician of the day) is out of town. The 
 mistress told me to bring ike first I came to." 
 
 While he was speaking, I put on my overcoat and 
 hat, and we started together for the place. It was a 
 fine house, situated in one of the most aristocratic 
 streets in New York. The hall-door was opened noise- 
 lessly by a servant, who had been evidently on the
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ABE AWAKENED. 7 
 
 watch for us, and she showed me, at once, into a hand- 
 some room on the second floor. 
 
 The door leading into the adjoining apartment was 
 open, and I heard a sound of heavy and labored 
 breathing, coming from it. The servant went in to 
 announce my arrival, and returned in a moment, fol- 
 lowed by a magnificent-looking woman, of perhaps 
 twenty-six years. 
 
 " You are a physician ? " she inquired. 
 
 " I am," I answered. 
 
 "My husband is very low. He is suffering from 
 disease of the heart, and our regular physician has been 
 unexpectedly called away from the city. Have you 
 confidence enough in yourself to undertake the respon- 
 sibility of such a case ? " 
 
 " I have had many such cases in my practice," I re- 
 plied, "and have been in most of them very successful." 
 
 "You are so young-looking," she remarked, glan- 
 cing at me from head to foot. 
 
 " I have practised seven years, part of the time with 
 the gentleman whom your servant named as being your 
 family physician." She stood for a moment or two, 
 thinking, and then motioned me to follow her into the 
 sick man's room. 
 
 I was surprised to find in the invalid a man ap- 
 proaching sixty years. He was propped up in bed with 
 pillows; and in spite of the suffering he was under- 
 going, his eyes were clear and bright, giving evidence 
 th-it the intellect was not yet weakened. He threw me
 
 8 DB. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 a searching glance as I entered, smiled faintly, and put 
 out his hand, which I took in mine. He was ap- 
 parently conscious that his time was short, and was 
 collecting all his remaining strength for the perform- 
 ance of^one last object. 
 
 I took a seat beside the bed, to which he pointed, 
 and prepared a medicine calculated to relieve him a 
 little. It was very successful in its effect; when he 
 spoke, his voice was full and distinct. 
 
 " Matilda, send for Masters and Mr. Parker, I must 
 see them now, while I have strength spared to me." 
 
 His wife left the room. While she was gone, I 
 raised the dying man, placed him in a more comfort- 
 able position, and gave him some of the soothing medi- 
 cine. There was that in his whole manner and appear- 
 ance that attracted me irresistibly, although I had never 
 before seen him, anrd was ignorant of even his name. 
 
 His wife returned after a little while, and took her 
 accustomed seat by his side. She had called him her 
 husband, but for that I should have supposed him to be 
 her father. While we awaited the arrival of the two 
 men whom he had asked to see, I sat weaving in my 
 brain odd fancies connected with this strangely con- 
 trasted husband and wife. 
 
 He was dark, and decidedly old for his years, with 
 a likeable face and gentle expression, in spite of his 
 sickness. There was something in the eyes that de- 
 noted truth and goodness, something open and fearless, 
 as if his conscience was clear and easy, as if he had
 
 m wmcn MY SUSPICIONS ARE AWAKENED. 
 
 nothing to dread, nothing to regret, now that his last 
 hour was drawing near. 
 
 She was a blonde, with a profusion of light hair, 
 most becomingly arranged, with handsome features, 
 and a bright color in her cheeks. Her figure Was ele- 
 gant and most graceful, with the heavy folds of her 
 dress, a rich dark-blue silk falling from the rounded 
 waist, and sweeping the floor at my feet. Her neck 
 and arms were shaded with costly lace, and the hand, 
 which the dying man held in his, was like wax, soft 
 and white, and covered with rings, the lights from 
 whose diamond centres flashed in my eyes where I 
 sat. 
 
 The room was in keeping with her appearance, from 
 the carpet that felt like moss under my feet, to the elab- 
 orate toilet set, shining on the distant bureau. Luxury 
 and refinement, blended in harmony, spoke from eveiy 
 thing surrounding her. 
 
 In spite of all her fascinations I took a dislike to her, 
 while I sat, watching with her, the last hours of her 
 dying husband. I caught a look that she fixed on him, 
 while he lay with closed eyes, breathing heavily. There 
 was something almost indescribable in that glance. 
 There were mingled in it coldness, calculation, and dis- 
 like. "While apparently performing the part of a de- 
 voted, loving wife, this woman's heart had nothing 
 whatever to do with her outward actions. A moment 
 after, she turned her eyes on me, and the aversion was 
 increased. They were large, full, and calculating; in 
 1*
 
 10 DR. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 color, a bright blue ; without real softness, and possess- 
 ing very little depth. 
 
 I have a queer liking for examining eyes ; I always 
 look at them first, and I judge from them a great deal 
 what the true character may be. To me they are the 
 most expressive feature of the face. 
 
 We sat for nearly an hour, watching without speak- 
 ing, and the old man lay with a patient expression in 
 his face, waiting and collecting his strength. At last 
 came a slight rustle, and the servant ushered in two 
 gentlemen. They advanced toward the bed, and 
 pressed the invalid's hands in theirs, while asking 
 how he felt in subdued, earnest tones. One of these 
 men was probably fifty years of age, with keen, bright 
 gray eyes, white hair, and a kindly look in his face. 
 The other was a dark, powerful-looking man, in the 
 prime of life, with brilliant black eyes, and heavy 
 beard and mustache. 
 
 For the few minutes that they stood quiet near 
 their dying friend, waiting to hear his wishes, I no- 
 ticed that the younger one kept his eyes on the wife's 
 face, as if determined on reading her thoughts. She 
 had merely acknowledged their bows on entering, and 
 was sitting as before, her hand within reach of her hus- 
 
 o * 
 
 band's. He was looking from one to. another of the 
 group now, and breathing with great difficulty. I 
 raised him again* and he thanked me with his patient 
 smile. 
 
 " Shall I leave the room ? " I asked.
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE AWAKENED. 11 
 
 "No, no," he answered. "Stay near me; you re- 
 lieve me very much." 
 
 I resumed my seat. He turned to his wife. 
 
 "Matilda, my will I want to hear it read over 
 again." 
 
 His wife rose, and, taking some keys from under his 
 pillow, walked toward a small safe placed at one end of 
 the room. She unlocked it, and returned, with the 
 paper in her hand. 
 
 "Read it to me, Joe," said the invalid in a faint 
 voice. 
 
 The older man of the two opened the paper, and 
 read it aloud, in a distinct, slow tone, as if wishing all 
 the hearers to weigh well the meaning of it. I could 
 recall the words, as they fell on my ears, in whole sen- 
 tences, for months after. It was short and decisive ; I 
 understood the whole substance of it, though not very 
 well versed, at that time, in legal terms. The first sen- 
 tence, " I, Arthur Ferris," revealed to me the name of 
 my patient. The property, which involved a large 
 amount of real estate and stocks, was to be disposed 
 of in this way: After some very liberal donations to 
 charitable institutions, and some trifling legacies to old 
 friends and servants, the bulk of it was to be equally 
 divided between his wife Matilda and his daughter 
 Arabella Ferris. Should his wife die before his daugh- 
 ter, the wife's share would revert to the daughter. On 
 the other hand, should the daughter die first, unmarried, 
 her half would go to the wife. The child was to remain
 
 12 DR. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 under the guardianship of her step-mother, Matilda Fer- 
 ris, who was also appointed co-trustee of her property 
 with Joseph Masters and William Parker. In case of 
 the death of Mrs. Ferris, the daughter was to reside 
 with an aunt, h"er dead mother's eldest sister. At 
 twenty, she would be of age, with full power over the 
 interest of her money, and at liberty to marry whom she 
 pleased. 
 
 The principal was to remain under the control of the 
 trustees chosen by her* father (they having, in turn, the 
 right to appoint successors to their trust), to be invested 
 for her benefit, and that of her heirs, until she should 
 reach the age of thirty-five, at which time she would 
 take complete possession of it all. Tne executors were 
 Joseph Masters and William Parker. 
 
 The will being read, Mr. Ferris expressed himself 
 satisfied with it, and, after a few minutes, asked to see 
 his child. 
 
 " She is asleep," answered Mrs. Ferris. 
 
 "Then waken her, Matilda; she will not have her 
 old father very long." 
 
 Mrs. Ferns left the room, and Mr. Parker walked 
 after her. A short time passed, and then a woman-ser- 
 vant appeared at the door, holding by the hand a slight, 
 pretty child, about eleven years of age. She quickly 
 unclasped the detaining hand as she caught sight of her 
 father's face, and with a low cry of joy she sprang 
 into his extended arms, and laid her head softly on his 
 breast.
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AKE AWAKENED. 13 
 
 " Oh, papa ! I have not seen you for so very long. 
 May I stay with you now ? " 
 
 " Yes, little one, for a short time. Papa is very sick." 
 
 The child raised her head, looked in her father's face, 
 and kissed him passionately, then she hid her own again, 
 only murmuring, " Papa, papa," as if conscious of what 
 was coming so very fast. 
 
 Mrs. Ferris returned. 
 
 " Belle, you will hurt papa, lying in that way on his 
 breast. It prevents him breathing freely." 
 
 She spoke sharply, and stretched out her hand to re- 
 move the child from her place. 
 
 The little girl shuddered, and only clasped -her arms 
 still tighter around her father's neck. 
 
 " Let her alone, Matilda, it is for the last time," Mr. 
 Fen-is said with increasing difficulty. Then he turned 
 his eyes, growing dim so fast, on the bright little face 
 raised to his in awe-struck silence. "Kiss papa, dar- 
 ling, kiss me good-night. Perhaps I shall be better in 
 the morning." 
 
 The little creature obeyed him, and, seeing how weak 
 he was becoming, I lifted her in my arms and carried 
 her into the adjoining room, where I placed her in the 
 nurse's care, and then hurried back to my patient. 
 
 He was sinking rapidly. Mr. Masters held one of 
 his hands, and watched his struggles with a womanly 
 tenderness of look and manner, while restraining with 
 difficulty his own sorrowful emotions. Mr. Parker was 
 supporting him on the other side. His wife had thrown
 
 14: DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 herself into a low chair, and covered her face with her 
 handkerchief. In a few moments all was over; and hav- 
 ing performed the few duties remaining to me, I left the 
 house, and returned to my desolate room. The fire had 
 gone out in my absence, it was cold and gloomy, and the 
 furniture looked older and shabbier than ever. The 
 contrast between it and the one*I had just quitted 
 struck me forcibly. 
 
 Though accustomed to look on death, under cir- 
 cumstances much more saddening than in this case, 
 the impression left on my mind was of such a nature, 
 that I could not sleep for hours after lying down ; but 
 instead, my busy brain wove long imaginary romances, 
 founded on the strange will, and the people it affected. 
 Even in ray dreams the scenes of the night before repeat- 
 ed themselves, until at last I was glad to rise and go out 
 in the cool morning air, to shake off their gloomy effect. 
 
 I attended the funeral some day after, and met there 
 my old friend, the family physician. He told me a few 
 things about Mr. Ferns that greatly interested me. He 
 had married, rather late in life, a very beautiful woman, 
 to whom he was passionately attached. She lived only 
 a few years, and died, leaving him with one child, the 
 little girl Arabella. Afterward, he married the half- 
 sister of his first wife, the lady whom I had met on 
 the night of his death. 
 
 . "She is certainly very beautiful," remarked my 
 friend. " But the first Mrs. Ferris was a far superior 
 woman."
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AKE AWAKENED. 15 
 
 I also renewed my acquaintance with little Miss 
 Ferris on that day. She came over to me of her own ac- 
 cord, from a distant part of the room, and held out her 
 hand timidly, as if half afraid of a disapproving glance 
 for her temerity. I Avas surprised at her remembering 
 me, but she told me that she knew my eyes ; a remark 
 that made me look at*hers, and they were well worth the 
 trouble large, soft, deep-brown ones, with a sad expres- 
 sion in them already. When I went home, I had to ex- 
 amine my own in the glass, to see if there was any thing 
 very remarkable about them, but I could not discover it. 
 
 I received a check for my medical services rendered 
 to Mr. Ferris, that surprised me by its amount, and not 
 only paid all my debts, but left me a little balance to go 
 on with again. 
 
 Two weeks after, I heard of an opening in Buffalo, 
 that promised well to an energetic young man, and I 
 secured it. I sold my practice in New York to a fellow- 
 student, and having packed my trunk, and left it to be 
 sent after me, I started, valise in hand, to walk to the 
 Albany boat, in order to take a farewell glance at Broad- 
 way. 
 
 While about to cross a side-street, I came face to 
 face with Mrs. Ferris and her little step-daughter, seated 
 in a low carriage. . The horses were going at a slow 
 pace, and I had time to take a long look at them. Mrs. 
 Ferris was quite bewitching, in her becoming widow's 
 cap and strings, and heavy crape veil. Miss Ferris had 
 a subdued, mournful look about her, and her black
 
 16 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 clothes served to make still paler her small, colorless face. 
 I was nearly past her, when she looked up and recog- 
 nized me with a bright smile. That smile danced before 
 my eyes and lightened my cares for many days after, 
 coming as it did from the warm heart and artless face 
 of an innocent child. 
 
 I Avas a lonely sort of fellow anyhow. My dear 
 mother, and my only sister, lived together in a quiet 
 little village near Albany. They had just enough to sup- 
 port themselves comfortably. When I felt fagged out, 
 I would run up to them for a few days, to be petted, and 
 made much of; after which, I could return with fresh 
 courage, to my old, dull routine of city work. My sister 
 was some years older than I, and very fond of me. So 
 it happened, that I never knew what it was to need a 
 woman's love and care until I was alone in New York, 
 struggling with others on the road to fame and fortune. 
 If I ever had indulged in day-dreams, of a little home of 
 my own, and a bright face watching for me at its window, 
 reflection taught me that for some years at least, such a 
 piece of happiness was quite impossible. So I coura- 
 geously refused all offers of introduction to nice young 
 girls, with or without rich papas. If a girl were good 
 and pretty, and without money, what right would I 
 have to gain her love, and then bind her to a long en- 
 gagement, while I should earn the means necessary for 
 her support ? If she were rich, the stronger reason why 
 I should keep my distance. I had heard too much of 
 poor young doctors hunting for rteh wives.
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE AWAKENED. 17 
 
 The result was, that when I quitted New York, to 
 seek for wealth and fame in a new field of action, the 
 only friends I left behind me were my old fellow-stu- 
 dents, several of whom promised to keep me informed of 
 matters in the city, how they progressed and how they 
 retrograded. 
 
 As I jumped on board the boat, I came near knocking 
 into the water an old gentleman, who was standing on 
 the plank, exchanging some words with a lady on the 
 pier. Turning to apologize, I recognized Mr. Masters. 
 He was on his way to the western part of the State, to 
 
 transact some business connected with the affairs of the 
 
 
 
 late Mr. Ferris. After supper, we sat for a long time on 
 deck, discussing various subjects, among the rest Mrs. 
 Ferris. It struck me that my companion had not a very 
 high opinion of her. 
 
 " She is remarkably handsome," I observed. 
 
 "Yes, and confoundedly smart," was the answer. 
 
 My companion was smoking, a recreation I did not 
 join him in, for two very good reasons: the first being, 
 that I disliked tobacco in every form ; and the second, 
 that if I had cared for it, I had not the money to indulge 
 the taste. 
 
 " Did you notice the wording of the will ? " asked my 
 companion, after puffing away for some time in a moody, 
 meditative manner. 
 
 " Yes, I think I understood it, although I arn not 
 what you call up in law." 
 
 " Oh ! it's plain enough ,' she would have it so. It is
 
 18 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 all her composition, though she has no idea that I see 
 through her so clearly. .She chose Parker for one of the 
 executors. It was very foolish of poor Ferris to give in 
 to her as he did. She has the child completely in her 
 power, and Parker is her adviser. I only wonder now 
 that my poor friend had firmness enough to hold out for 
 me. She strongly opposed niy being named as either 
 executor or co-trustee." 
 
 " You think that she don't like you ? " I remarked. 
 
 "I don't think any thing about it, I know it. Her 
 acting deceived poor Ferris, it never did me for one 
 moment. He died in th'e firm belief that she loved his 
 child, and was devotedly fond of him. I know that she 
 married him for his money and position, and that she 
 dislikes the little girl heartily. You see, she was his 
 first wife's half-sister, and considerably younger. She 
 was always spending weeks and months at their 
 house, and managed to understand the old man's dis- 
 position exactly. Then, when poor Mrs. Ferris (who 
 really was a fine woman) died, she played a very good 
 game. She nursed and petted the child, called it the 
 most endearing names, sympathized with the father, and 
 never ceased till she married him, and got possession of 
 a handsome house and unlimited money." 
 
 " Did she make him happy ? " I inquired. 
 
 "Yes, she certainly did. She played her cards well. 
 I have to thank her for making the last years of his life 
 pleasant to him. Still, I know the motive. She takes 
 half his money the child* is delicate, and I believe
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE AWAKENED. 19 
 
 very sensitive. There is a chance of the other half 
 too." 
 
 " Perhaps you are hard on her. She is almost too 
 young to be so very cunning." 
 
 " Dr. "Wilmer, did you look well at her eyes ? " The 
 old gentleman turned as he spoke, and looked me straight 
 in the face. 
 
 " I certainly did not admire them, though they are 
 beautiful in shape and color." 
 
 " Exactly. Think of the expression of them. I tell 
 you, Wilmer, that woman is capable of any thing. She 
 would sell her soul for money." 
 
 " You will have to watch her closely." 
 
 " Yes, but you see my hands are tied. Parker is 
 her friend, and I grow older every day. It will be two 
 young heads and two unscrupulous minds against one 
 old man. I can't match them in cunning, whatever I 
 might do as regards honesty." 
 
 " Right and truth generally succeed in the end," 
 I said. " You must hope for the best." 
 
 "And expect the worst," was the old gentleman's 
 answer. 
 
 We travelled together as far as Syracuse, where we 
 parted, with warm feelings on both sides, and I pursued 
 my way alone to Buffalo.
 
 CHAPTER H. 
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AKE STRENGTHENED. 
 
 FOB some years I labored steadily at my profession 
 in Buffalo. I found the opening, if any thing, better 
 than ithad been represented to me. I became attached 
 to the place, its people, and my fellow-workers there. 
 My health was good, my practice rapidly increasing 
 and remunerative. My only vacations had been of 
 two or three weeks in length, at long intervals. Then, 
 confiding my patients to skilful hands, and leaving all 
 cares behind me, I had gone East, for a visit to my 
 mother and sister. 
 
 Once I had extended my trip to Kew York, but my 
 old friends were scattered ; some had gone South, others 
 West; the old associations were weakened, and my 
 pleasant recollections soon dispelled. I met crowds of 
 people at every turn, but the faces were all strange ones ; 
 I had no interest nor concern in any of the things that 
 engrossed their thought and time, and I found myself 
 wondering what I ever had seen to admire or care for 
 in the noisy, crowded metropolis.
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ABE STRENGTHENED. 21 
 
 I inquired for the celebrated physician under whom 
 I had studied. He was dead some years. I walked 
 past the house where Mr. Ferris died, recalling as I did 
 so the scenes of that night, and the curious speculations 
 to which they had given rise. Passing down Broadway, 
 the sight of an old sign on the corner of a street brought 
 back vividly to my mind the remembrance of a low 
 carriage, with two figures in it, and a bright smile on a 
 childish face. I asked myself what had become of that 
 child. Most probably she -was at some fashionable 
 school, preparing to create a sensation in society with 
 her beauty and knowledge. I thought of calling on 
 Mr. Masters but gave up the idea the next m%nent. 
 What were Mrs. Ferris and her affairs to me ? 
 
 Thus six years rolled away. One sultry afternoon in 
 September I drew up my horse at my own door, gave 
 the reins to my servant, sought my comfortable arm- 
 chair in the office, and threw myself back in it with a 
 long-drawn sigh of relief. It had been a sickly summer, 
 and I was worn out, not having taken a day's rest all 
 through the warm, unhealthy months just passed. Lat- 
 terly I had been making up my mind to urge my moth- 
 er and sister to give up their own old house, and take 
 charge of mine. For some reasons I hesitated about 
 making the request. Buffalo was not, on the Avholc, as 
 healthy a place as the one in which they were settled. 
 Breaking up the old home and its associations might in- 
 jure my mother's health and spirits; so I still debated 
 the point with myself, not arriving at any conclusion.
 
 .22 DE. -WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 Every little while my sister would ask me the same ques- 
 tion in her letters. " John, why don't you marry ? " 
 and whenever we met, I always heard a discourse from 
 both mother and sister on the same subject of interest. 
 My answer was invariably the same " The older I grow 
 the harder I am to please," which answer only brought 
 down on my devoted head another lecture, the chief 
 point in which was, the self-conceit of men, and their 
 growing indifference to the charms of married life. I 
 had arrived at the dignity of a neat little house of my 
 own, well furnished, and all paid for. Lying back in 
 my easy-chair, I threw a glance of satisfaction around 
 me, not unmixed with some pride, for I had worked 
 hard for the comforts that I enjoyed so much. 
 
 My housekeeper, coming in with a long broom and 
 duster, gave me a Searching glance from under the bor- 
 der of her cap, leaned her hands on the table, and thus 
 addressed me : 
 
 "Dr. Wilmer, you're as white as a sheet. There's 
 three names on the slate ; every one of them wants you 
 first ; and if you don't get some one to attend to your 
 business, and leave the city for a month, it's my opinion 
 that you'll soon be sending after a doctor for yourself." 
 She then put the slate before me with a loud bang, and 
 catching up her house-cleaning implements went into the 
 next room, where I heard her, a moment after, expend- 
 ing her disgust with me, by ploughing up the dust from 
 the carpet. 
 
 Having refreshed myself with some sandwiches and
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE STRENGTHENED. 23 
 
 wine, I left the house again, to attend to my duties ; but 
 coming home, I determined to follow Mrs. Marks' advice, 
 and therefore stopped in at the house of one of my med- 
 ical brethren, to make the necessary arrangements for 
 an absence of a month. That done, I went home and 
 informed the worthy woman that I was going to Niagara 
 for some time, that I would start the next morning, and 
 that I wanted my valise packed. Having astonished 
 her by this, address, I went to bed without waiting for 
 her approval of it, feeling better already for my deter- 
 mination. I dreamt all night of catching fish so enor- 
 mous that I could not pull them in, and of bringing 
 down birds as large as turkeys. Remembering my vis- 
 ions, I supplied myself next day with apparatus for fish- 
 ing and hunting, and took my departure for Niagara in 
 fine spirits. 
 
 On arriving there, I engaged a room at the Cataract 
 House, deposited my extra luggage in it, and with a light 
 heart and easy mind started out to explore the curiosi- 
 ties around me. I was returning late in the afternoon, 
 having penetrated to the cave of ^Eolus, with the sound 
 of the rushing waters still in my ears, when my atten- 
 tion was attracted by two persons on the road some 
 yards in front of me. 
 
 They were both females, one tall and strong in 
 appearance, the other slight and frail-looking. As I 
 neared them, I found that the larger one of the two was 
 talking in a loud angry voice, and that the other was 
 sobbing as if frightened.
 
 24: DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 Just at the moment that I passed them, the tall wo- 
 man caught the other by the shoulders and shook her 
 most violently, stopping her in the path as she did so. 
 I glanced at them in turn. Something in both faces 
 struck me as being familiar. The tall woman was decid- 
 edly a servant of the better class, well dressed and self- 
 sufficient ; the other a delicate girl, a lady in birth and 
 appearance, beyond a doubt. The older woman never 
 noticed me ; the younger threw me a look sorrowful and 
 supplicating as I hurried past. Where had I seen those 
 two faces before? Where had I met those soft eyes, so 
 mournful in their expression, so lovely in their depth ? 
 All at once I stood still in the path, and uttered a cry 
 of surprise. It had all flashed upon me in a second. 
 The eyes were those of Arabella Ferris, and the woman 
 was the servant who had brought her into the room the 
 night of her father's death. Shocked at my discovery, 
 I sat down on a piece of rock in the path, and awaited 
 their reappearance. 
 
 I had no fear of their recognizing me ; in the six: 
 years that had gone by I had grown stouter, and my 
 heavy beard and mustache completely hid the lower 
 part of my face. I had passed intimate friends without 
 being known ; there was little danger of it here. 
 
 In a few minutes they came up the road toward me, 
 and I noted all I could in the short time given me. 
 Miss Ferris was plainly, but well dressed. Alas ! it 
 was not her dress that struck me ; but her face, that sent 
 a cold chill to my heart. There was a look in it which
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE STRENGTHENED. 25 
 
 conveyed the impression that the mind was unsound ; a 
 curious, -inexplicable expression, a mixture of vacancy 
 and wildness. 
 
 " Great Heaven ! " I exclaimed to myself. " What 
 have they done to her ? " With the thought came the 
 determination to find out the mystery, and, grasping my 
 walking-stick firmly, I rose and followed the retreating 
 figures. 
 
 What was my surprise, as I walked along, to find 
 them bound for the same destination as myself! They 
 entered the house before me, and disappeared through 
 the door of a room on the second floor, the one next 
 to my own. The gong was sounding for dinner, and I 
 don't think I ever made a more rapid toilet in my life. 
 I succeeded admirably, and having learned from a 
 waiter where JMiss Ferris usually sat at her meals, I 
 obtained a place from which I could observe all that 
 passed at the table. 
 
 I was just seated when the party entered the room. 
 Mrs. Ferris was dressed in the deepest and costliest 
 mourning, and looked, if any thing, handsomer than 
 ever. I should have known her anywhere, but though 
 she caught my eye observing her, there was no answer- 
 ing recognition in the careless glance that she bestowed 
 on me. She had only seen me that one night six years 
 before ;. we did not meet at the funeral ; and she had 
 probably forgotten my name, too, which was all the 
 better for my plan. 
 
 She swept with a stately step down the long dining- 
 2
 
 26 DK. WILMEK'S LOTE. 
 
 room, followed by glances of admiration from all sides. 
 Miss Ferris, also in black, walked in a slow, hesitating 
 way, beside the stout servant whom I had seen with 
 her before that day. The woman took her place near 
 her, as soon as she was seated, and waited on her with a 
 show of attention and fond care that never deceived me 
 for one instant. That this was a scene, necessary to be 
 acted out, in the deep game that this woman was play- 
 ing, I did not doubt. 
 
 It was with difficulty, and only in view of the after 
 consequences, that I controlled myself from breaking 
 out on them, then and there. Such a sight for a room 
 full of eager watchers to gaze upon ! 
 
 The girl, or rather child, for she was one in manners, 
 seemed totally ignorant of any thing that could be 
 called table etiquette. She pulled the meat apart with 
 her fingers, and ate with them, regardless of knife and 
 fork. Any thing that did not suit her was pushed 
 away, half across the table, with a gesture of contempt 
 rather than anger. If asked, I should have said that 
 she was under the influence of some drug or stimulant. 
 She seemed almost unconscious of what she was doin^, 
 
 O 7 
 
 and there was something unearthly in her decided 
 beauty. Her cheeks were flushed to deep crimson, and 
 there was an unnatural, fearful brilliancy in her large 
 dark eyes, once so soft and serene in their expression. 
 Her delicate features were sharp and attenuated, as if 
 by much suffering ; her form possessed none of the usual 
 roundness of youth ; it was thin and bent, and so weak,
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ABE STRENGTHENED. 27 
 
 that her little hands trembled visibly, owing to her 
 painful nervousness. 
 
 " What a wreck of physical beauty ! " I heard a 
 gentleman observe to a lady beside him. 
 
 As the meal progressed, the nurse appeared to be 
 endeavoring to restrain her, while Mrs. Ferris wore a 
 look of sad sympathy and despairing love. I noticed, 
 however, that her grief did not prevent her from en- 
 joying a hearty dinner. Now and then, a glance tow- 
 ard Mrs. Ferris from the dark, wild eyes, rather indi- 
 cated that there was method in all this madness such 
 a look of despair, mingled with a restless gaze at the 
 doors and windows, as if she were meditating an escape 
 from this fond mother, and her loving care. At last 
 the strange dinner-scene came to an end, and the party 
 rose and left the table as they had entered the room. 
 As I walked out, the waiter remarked to me, looking 
 after the trio, and tapping his forehead, " She is totally 
 gone, a perfect idiot." 
 
 I shivered at the look and the words. Mrs. Ferris 
 was accomplishing her object. The present perform- 
 ance was to make the world believe that the girl was 
 insane. What would be the next move ? The child 
 did not look as if this struggle could last very long. 
 Her constitution, naturally frail, was undermined. 
 The physical and mental forces were being slowly and 
 surely sapped. " What will be the end ? " I asked 
 myself, as I slowly walked up and down my room. 
 Should I write to Mr. Masters? Reason told me it
 
 28 - DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 would be to no purpose. He was powerless under the 
 provisions of the will. What could be done? What 
 could we prove ? Nothing. There was no proof of ill- 
 treatment on the part of Mrs. Ferris, and there was no 
 legal way of taking the girl out of her custody. The 
 servant was, no doubt a well-paid sharer of her mis- 
 tress's confidence. 
 
 The debating of these points in my mind made me 
 unconscious of the time slipping away ; and when, at 
 last, I looked at my watch, I saw that it was too late to 
 carry out the plan that I had laid for my afternoon's 
 amusement. I opened my valise, and was busy with 
 my flies and hooks, when voices, rising in anger, reached 
 me from the adjoining room. Two were loud and 
 threatening, the third low and deprecating. At last 
 there came a smothered cry, followed by a sound of 
 heavy blows, falling rapidly. I started to my feet and 
 ran to the door of the next room. The handle of it was 
 in my hand, when again strong reason came to my aid. 
 To make a scene at that time would do no permanent 
 good, and might prevent its possibility forever. 
 
 The rooms were situated at the end of a long corri- 
 dor ; no one had been attracted by the noise, so I went 
 back to my own, and listened with a swelling heart to 
 the low moans caused by bodily and mental suffering. 
 A short time after a firm heavy step came along the hall, 
 and a gentleman opened my door, and put in his head. 
 
 "Excuse me," said he. "I mistook the room; it is 
 the next one, I think."
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE STRENGTHENED. 29 
 
 . " All right," I exclaimed, looking up hastily. The 
 moment after, I heard him at the other door, asking for 
 Mrs. Ferris. 
 
 I often feel thankful for my strong recollection of 
 names and faces. This gentleman was no less a per- 
 sonage than Mr. William Parker, co-trustee of Miss 
 Ferris, and one of the executors of her father's will. 
 
 " The plot thickens," I said to myself, and, taking 
 my hat in ruy hand, I sauntered out of my room and 
 down the corridor. Sure enough, there they stood to- 
 gether, in the window at the far end of it, so closely en- 
 gaged in conversation, that I passed them unobserved, 
 though not so indifferent myself to them. He had his 
 arm around her waist, half supporting her, while to- 
 gether they no doubt planned the next move on the 
 board. At supper he attended her to the table. Miss 
 Ferris did not appear ; but Mrs. Ferris called for a tray, 
 and prepared with her own hands, and to the admira- 
 tion of the lookers-on, a sumptuous supper for her afflict- 
 ed child, which was carried to her room by one of the 
 waiters. As the nurse was up there in charge, I could 
 guess who ate it. 
 
 Afterward, passing through the parlor, I saw the 
 pair seated on a sofa. She was fanning herself, and 
 talking to him gayly. 
 
 " "Whatever share of heart she possesses," I thought, 
 "is his decidedly. She loves him as mucli as she is 
 capable of loving any one." 
 
 "What a splendid-looking couple!" I heard some
 
 30 DR. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 one remark, in reference to them, as I passed up the 
 stairs. 
 
 The next morning Mr. Parker escorted Mi's. Ferris 
 to the breakfast-table. She looked still more beautiful 
 in her elaborate white dress. The young lady did not 
 appear. The same farce of sending her a nice meal was 
 acted over again. I swallowed mine, hardly conscious 
 of what I was eating, and, leaving them still at the 
 table, went to my own room. I listened for a while, but 
 could hear nothing going on in the next apartment; 
 probably the poor girl was asleep, free for a short 
 time from her troubles and misery. 
 
 At last I took my guide-book and a stout stick, and 
 left my room, on the way to explore further the beau- 
 ties of the surrounding country. I passed Mr. Parker 
 and Mrs. Ferris, strolling together up and down the 
 long corridor. What would I have given to know the 
 plans they were discussing so eagerly ! I caught one 
 sentence, as I passed, that fell from Mrs. Ferris's lips : 
 
 " We can stay in Europe two years." 
 
 I repeated this over and over to myself, as I ran 
 down the stairs and out into the road. There was a 
 meaning in that sentence, what was it ? Pondering this 
 question in my mind, I reached Goat Island, and spent 
 an hour there, the only person on it, as far as I could 
 see. 
 
 Stretched on the grass, my face to the vast sheet of 
 foaming, rushing water, and hidden by a rock from the 
 notice of any one who might cross the bridge, I lay,
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ABE STRENGTHENED. 31 
 
 cnjoyiug to" the fullest extent the sublime works of Na- 
 ture surrounding me on every side. A delicious sense 
 of rest came over me, caused by the sweet fresh air, the 
 singing and chirping of the birds, the perfume of the 
 wild flowers bending around me in rich profusion, and 
 the exquisite September coloring of the scenery. From 
 this state of repose I was suddenly aroused by hearing 
 a voice exclaiming in a wild, shrieking tone 
 
 " I wish I were dead ! " 
 
 " I wish you were, with all my heart ; you're nothing 
 but a torment to yourself, arid every one around you ! " 
 answered a coarse, rude voice. 
 
 A scream and a struggle made me spring to my feet, 
 only to see a slight, agile form, with outstretched arms, 
 flying toward the rushing rapids. The woman stood 
 as if petrified. I sprang to intercept the desperate girl. 
 She had reached to within a few feet of the edge of the 
 bank, when her foot caught in an old root standing up 
 from the ground, and she fell heavily, striking her head 
 against a stone that lay in the water. I raised her with 
 some difficulty, for she was partly in the water, and I 
 was afraid of hurting her. She was insensible from the 
 contusion on her head, and I feared that she was other- 
 wise injured. I laid the pale, worn face against my 
 breast, and, dipping my handkerchief in the cool water, 
 placed it on her head, trying to restore her to conscious- 
 ness. 
 
 The woman stood by, looking at me, but not at- 
 tempting to offer any assistance. There was a sati>lii'l
 
 32 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 expression on her face, which changed to dne of vexa- 
 tion as the poor child opened her eyes and stared wild- 
 ly around her. 
 
 " Where am I ? " she asked, gazing at me wearily. 
 
 Before I could answer, the woman replied roughly : 
 "Just wait till I tell your mother what you've been 
 up to." 
 
 The young girl shivered from head to foot. 
 
 " You have had a bad fall," I said gently, " but you 
 will soon recover." , 
 
 She shivered again and looked about her, as if medi- 
 tating another attempt on her own life. 
 
 " Come, Miss Ferris, get up ; you'd better come home 
 and put on dry clothes before your mother sees you," 
 said the servant in a soothing tone. She was recollect- 
 ing herself. 
 
 I lifted the young lady to her feet, but she tottered, 
 and would have fallen, had I not put my arm around 
 her. 
 
 "I am afraid she has hurt herself very badly," I 
 said to the nurse. " We must carry her to the hotel." 
 
 "I am sure you are very kind, sir," she answered 
 in a smooth, servile tone. " Mrs. Ferris will be obliged 
 to you, for she dotes on the child, though indeed she is 
 nothing but a trouble to her. She is out of her mind, 
 sir, entirely." 
 
 Miss Ferris seemed quite indifferent to this speech. 
 She was leaning heavily on iny arm, her eyes closed as 
 if in pain.
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AKE STRENGTHENED. 33 
 
 " Try and walk a little," the woman went on, turn- 
 ing to her and taking her by the arm as she spoke. 
 
 "I can't, Susan, my side hurts me so much," was 
 the answer in a low weak voice. The wild fit was 
 over ; Miss Ferris was suffering terribly from the effects 
 of hep fall. I lifted her in my arms, and after frequent 
 rests we reached the hotel. Miss Ferris did not speak 
 on the way; now and then a low moan would escape 
 her, and several times I observed her looking fixedly 
 at my face, a troubled eager expression in her eyes. 
 
 The servant walked along by my side, not volun- 
 teering any remark, and I shrank from exhibiting any 
 curiosity by asking questions. She looked gloomy and 
 cross, and I was afraid of exciting her anger against 
 the helpless creature that I was carrying. On arriving 
 at the house, we found that Mrs. Ferris was out riding, 
 and so I carried her daughter up-stairs and laid her on 
 the sofa in her own room. 
 
 " I am a doctor," I said to the nurse, " and if you 
 should require me, I am in the next room ; at present 
 you had better put her in bed, and keep wet linen on 
 her forehead." 
 
 Going into my own apartment, I made up my mind 
 that the servant would not have been very . sorry if 
 Miss Ferris had succeeded in her design. I began to 
 think that I was fated to be in some way connected 
 with the strange family so curiously met six years 
 before. If they should need my further services, I 
 thought it would never do to tell them my real name ; 
 2*
 
 34: DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 it might bring me to their recollection; then, again, I 
 determined to risk it they might never have heard it. 
 I was roused from this reverie by the sound of horses' 
 feet, and a light laugh floating in through the open 
 window. Mr. Parker and Mrs. Ferris had been taking 
 a ride that fine morning, and were just returned. 
 
 Soon after she passed my door, her habit gathered 
 up in one hand and her whip in the other. In her 
 room I heard a low hum of voices a history, no doubt, 
 of the morning's adventure. I was dressed for dinner, 
 when a waiter brought me up a note. 
 
 " Mrs. Ferris will be happy to meet in the parlor, 
 before dinner, the gentleman who so kindly rescued her 
 daughter this morning." 
 
 On going down, she was standing waiting for me, 
 in a very pretty attitude, which displayed to much ad- 
 vantage her fine figure. I bowed, and announced my- 
 self, " Dr. Wilmer, of Buffalo." She took no notice of 
 the name, but asked me my opinion of her daughter's 
 state of health. If I had not been prepared for her, she 
 would have won me over in ten minutes, a firm believer 
 in her statement; as it was, I had to admire the hy- 
 pocrisy and cunning she exhibited. I felt like applaud- 
 ing, as we do when we see some fine piece of acting 
 on the stage. 
 
 Her poor little Belle had lost her reason partially, 
 owing to a terrible attack of scarlet fever. 
 
 " What age was she at that time ? " I asked. 
 
 "She was not quite six," was the answer, so ready,
 
 IN WniCH MY SUSPICIONS AEE STRENGTHENED. 35 
 
 that it was evident her whole story was one well 
 studied for strangers' ears. She thanked me over and 
 over again for what I had done that morning, saying, 
 with tears in her eyes, that her heart was bound up ia 
 her child, weak-minded as she was. Then she sounded 
 me on another point. " Would you advise me to place 
 her in a private asylum ? " 
 
 " Not at all," I answered, " as long as she is quiet 
 and harmless." 
 
 " I have been urged to do it by a number of my 
 friends, and so far I have shrunk from it as being a last 
 resource. But you see, doctor, when what occurred 
 this morning may be repeated" (here she shuddered) 
 " any time, what am I to do ? She never made an at- 
 tempt to destroy herself before, but this has terrified 
 me. There are so many ways by which she could ac- 
 complish it, and then I am obliged to be in constant 
 communication with our family physician about her 
 treatment. He insists on country air, and I have been 
 travelling Avith her all summer." 
 
 " Does he consider her incurable ? " I asked. 
 
 " Yes," she sighed, raising her handkerchief to her 
 eyes. 
 
 " Have you every confidence in his skill ? " I inquired, 
 determined to sound her in turn. 
 
 "Most entire confidence," was the answer. "Put- 
 ting aside his long experience in such cases, he has 
 attended her all her life, and is quite interested in her; 
 besides, he understands her constitution perfectly."
 
 36 DR. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 I was not prepared for this last falsehood ; of course 
 the wonderful family physician was a myth, a creature 
 of the imagination, an organ very largely developed in 
 Mrs. Ferris's head. 
 
 " Of course," I said, rising, " in that case I would not 
 interfere ; if you were without medical advice, I should 
 gladly undertake the charge, but " 
 
 " But, doctor," she interposed, " you forget that the 
 circumstance of this morning makes it necessary for me 
 to have some one here to advise with, and of course I 
 could not expect him to leave his duties for her sake. 
 If you will undertake to attend her, in case any thing 
 dangerous should result from this fall, until I am able to 
 hear from our regular physician, I shall be satisfied." 
 
 "It is a responsibility, but I am willing to remain at 
 your service, if necessary," I answered. 
 
 " You will remember, however," she remarked, with 
 a curious expression in her face, "that it is only her 
 physical health you will have to do with ; her mental 
 condition must remain under the charge of the gentle- 
 man whom I have already mentioned." 
 
 She bowed gracefully, and left the room. I took my 
 accustomed seat at dinner, and watched her and her 
 friend Mr. Parker as narrowly as good-breeding would 
 permit ; perhaps I did overstep the bounds, but my sus- 
 picions must excuse me. Afterward I was introduced 
 to him in the parlor, and then, satisfied that there had 
 been no recognition on his part, I went up to my room 
 to await events. I read for some hours, trying with all
 
 IN WniCH MY SUSPICIONS AEE STRENGTHENED. 37 
 
 my strength to concentrate my thoughts on the subject 
 before me, a work which was at first very difficult to 
 succeed in, for my ideas would wander off in the direc- 
 tion of Miss Ferris and her guardian, and I would dis- 
 cover my book before me, at an angle of forty-five de- 
 grees, and my eyes gazing upward, seeing nothing. At 
 last, just as I had succeeded in comprehending one page 
 of the book, a tap came on the door, and opening it, I 
 saw Susan, the nurse, standing before me with a fright- 
 ened face. 
 
 " She has a dreadful fever, sir, and we can't quiet 
 her; won't you come and see her?" 
 
 " Has she been asleep at all ? " I asked. 
 
 " Yes, ever since," was the prompt reply. 
 
 I found my patient burning with fever, and talking 
 incoherently; her cheeks crimson, and her eyes bril- 
 liant. She was suffering from the bruise on her head 
 principally, although her side, the nurse informed me, 
 was dreadfully hurt. She was quite unable to move 
 without help, and, while I held her hand in mine, her 
 ravings became worse and worse, until at last, Mrs. 
 Ferris, who all this time had sat near her, rose with a 
 frightened expression of face and withdrew to a part of 
 the room some distance from the bed. Strange to say, 
 my patient became gradually more calm, and at last 
 sank into an uneasy sleep, out of which I charged them on 
 no account to disturb her. Mrs. Ferris took up a book ; 
 and, leaving word to call me when she wakened, I with- 
 drew to my own room. In half an hour I was sent foi
 
 38 DR. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 again ; she was worse than ever, and as I entered the 
 room I felt sure that I detected a faint odor of brandy ; 
 still there was no sign of it whatever about the place. 
 
 " Did she waken in this condition ? " I asked. 
 
 " Yes, sir," was the ready answer. 
 
 " You have given her brandy," I said, looking full in 
 the nurse's face. " What was that for ? " 
 
 "She always takes it," answered Mrs. Ferris. "It 
 was ordered for her, and I thought, in her weak state, 
 that it Avould be wrong to omit giving it to her." 
 
 " She was in no condition to take a stimulant," I an- 
 swered ; " you should not have given it without consult- 
 ing me. That accounts for the state she is in now." 
 
 " I am very sorry," Mrs. Ferris said, " but we have 
 become so used to treating her according to the rules 
 given us, that I never thought of it doing her any 
 harm." 
 
 " It must not occur again," I said sternly ; " her con- 
 dition is a very critical one, and if I assume the respon- 
 sibility of it, my directions must be followed without 
 any deviation whatever." 
 
 "'Of course they shall be : the mistake was a careless 
 one ; but you know, we don't understand just what to 
 do," Mrs. Ferris answered, looking very sorrowful and 
 anxious. 
 
 " Will you want this ? " asked the servant, putting a 
 large vial of laudanum before me. 
 
 "Is she accustomed to using it?" I asked, very 
 quietly.
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ABE STRENGTHENED. 39 
 
 "Oh, yes, sir, she takes it constantly; she would 
 never rest only for it," was the answer. 
 
 " The opiate I have given her," I said, " is quite suffi- 
 cient for the present, and remember on no account must 
 you give her any thing without my advice." 
 
 Again I left the girl asleep and comparatively easy. 
 At supper-time she still slept, and Mrs. Ferris appeared 
 at the table, and afterward went out for a short walk 
 with Mr. Parker, according to my advice, leaving her 
 daughter under the care of the nurse and myself. I 
 managed it very well altogether, for I sent the servant 
 to a distant part of the room, telling her that she had 
 been too much confined that day, attending on her 
 charge ; and then sat down quietly to look at my poor 
 patient, and ponder the chances for her life. I came to 
 the conclusion that they were very slight indeed. -The 
 naturally delicate organization had been fearfully prac- 
 tised upon. If I could only keep her long enough under 
 treatment for her fall, to permit of her mind becoming 
 stronger, it might be possible to prove ill-usage on the 
 part of the step-mother, and take her out of her power ; 
 as she was, such a proceeding was beyond all possibility. 
 
 Mrs. Ferris and Mr. Parker had every thing their 
 own way, and were quite conscious of the fact. If this 
 state of things were to continue very long, the girl 
 would soon become a helpless imbecile. Thinking over 
 these things,J looked up, to find my patient lying awake, 
 Avitli her eyes fixed on my face. 
 
 " I remember you now where am I ? " she asked, in
 
 40 DR. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 a voice too low and weak to be heard by the nurse, with 
 her head out of the distant window. 
 
 " You are in your own room, and you remember see- 
 ing me this morning after you fell." 
 
 " No, no, I have seen you some place before." She 
 thought a moment, and then a bright smile broke over 
 her face and lit it up. " I know now the night papa 
 died, and afterward, one day in the street." 
 
 " You must not let either your mother, or anybody 
 else that you see here, know that you remember me," 
 I whispered. "Spenk very low the nurse is in the 
 room." 
 
 " I understand you," she replied. " Oh, if you could 
 only know what I suffer ! They make me drink things 
 that set me wild, so that I don't know what I am say- 
 ing or doing ; people think I am insane, you know better. 
 Please take me away from them." 
 
 " If you will do as I tell you, and try to grow strong, 
 that is the only w^ay before you. I can do nothing 
 without your help, and I must be able to prove that 
 you are perfectly sane before I can take a single step 
 for your benefit." 
 
 "What must I do?" she murmured. "Why did 
 papa leave me to her ? She hates me, and always did." 
 
 " Yes, but she deceived him completely. You must 
 stay here as long as you can ; don't let them think that 
 you can walk or be removed. Make the most of your 
 fall until your mind is steadier ; don't walk till I give 
 you leave."
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE STRENGTHENED. 41 
 
 The handle of the door turned at this moment, and 
 I put my finger to my lips. She closed her eyes as Mrs. 
 Ferris entered. Mr. Parker evidently had his part to 
 play ; to the mere spectator he was only an admirer 
 of Mrs. Ferris, not at all interested in her unfortunate 
 daughter. Having explained to her how much better 
 her child was, and left directions for her treatment 
 during the night, I went out for a stroll in the fresh air, 
 perfectly astonished at what had just passed. After 
 all those years, this child had known my features ; my 
 name she probably had never heard. I concluded that 
 her mind was still strong enough to insure a perfect 
 recovery, much more so than I had dared to hope, and 
 that her wild fits were the effects of the stimulants they 
 made her swallow. How long I remained out I don't 
 know ; I thought of schemes and plans without number 
 by which to circumvent the designs of this extraor- 
 dinary woman, who had surely sold herself for the 
 coveted prize, her husband's entire property. 
 
 Going back to the house, I looked in on my patient. 
 She was sound asleep. Mrs. Ferris was reading, and 
 the nurse was sewing, so I retired to my room satisfied 
 with the course of events. The next morning Miss 
 Ferris was much better, but quite unable to walk. I 
 left orders for her treatment that day, and then went 
 out for a long ramble, feeling sure that she was safe for 
 a short time from further attempts on her mental 
 health, owing to the remarks I had made ; and wishing, 
 besides, to lull all suspicions of what I might think that
 
 would naturally arise in such cunning minds. I knew 
 that, once they suspected me of understanding or doubt- 
 ing them, iny power was lost forever. Thus matters 
 went on for some days, and that they were afraid of me 
 I saw clearly. Miss Ferris still remained unable to 
 walk, but her eyes were soft and natural, and I knew 
 that she was improving fast, altogether too much so for 
 them. "We had been too closely watched to allow of 
 any private conversation together, and so, a quiet pres- 
 sure of her hand, and a significant glance every time I 
 felt her pulse, were all the secret signs of our counter- 
 conspiracy that we could venture upon. In speaking 
 to her, I spoke as if tt> a person of weak mind, and loud 
 enough for all in the room to hear me. 
 
 One day, about two weeks after her fall, I went into 
 the room and found her sitting in an arm-chair near the 
 window. Her hands lay idle in her lap, and the whole 
 expression of her face was one of intense weariness and 
 listlessness. As she saw me, it suddenly changed to a 
 bright, eager one ; every feature was lit up with intelli- 
 gence, while a smile, beautiful in its effect, dimpled for 
 a moment her flushed cheeks. For the second that it 
 lasted she was again the same pretty child who had 
 thrown me that bright glance years before; the next 
 moment Mrs. Ferris came in, and my patient sank 
 back the listless, weary victim, I was accustomed to 
 seeing. 
 
 " Why haven't you a book ? " I asked quietly, as I 
 took her hand and sat down beside her. Mrs. Ferris
 
 IN \VHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE STRENGTHENED. 43 
 
 standing thinking in a distant window, did not hear the 
 question. 
 
 " I can't read," was the answer ; " I have had no 
 teacher since papa died." 
 
 " Is it possible ? " I remarked, almost unconsciously, 
 in my surprise. 
 
 " Is it a wonder that I am nearly crazy ? But for 
 you, and what you have promised me, I would feel like 
 doing again what I tried a short time ago. Sometimes 
 I am mad when I think of myself, and the terrible trap 
 I am in ; then again, I feel that there is no hope for 
 escape, and I long for death to end this misery. Mrs. 
 Ferris will tell you that they are the two phases of my 
 insanity, as she tells every one that sees me." 
 
 My poor child," I said, "only be patient. Try 
 and control yourself, and I will do all that I can ; see how 
 much better you are already for these two weeks of rest." 
 
 " Yes, but how long will it last ?" 
 
 She put her hands over her face and cried softly, 
 completely overpowered by the sense of her own hope- 
 less, helpless position. 
 
 Mrs. Ferris, attracted by the sound, now came tow- 
 ard us with a sharp glance at me. 
 
 u Miss Ferris has been too much alone," I remarked, 
 " she is dispirited with her long confinement in this 
 room. We must try and get her out for a short time; 
 the change will be good for her." 
 
 The sharp look changed to one of studied concern. 
 Mrs. Ferris put her arm round the shrinking figure.
 
 44 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 " We must take her for a ride, doctor, if you think 
 she will be able, this afternoon." 
 
 " By all means," I said, " and repeat it every after- 
 noon, if this does not fatigue her too much." 
 
 Miss Ferris now looked up, and Avith a few cheerful, 
 encouraging words, I bade her " good-morning." 
 
 For three or four days after that interview I was un- 
 able to secure a word alone with my patient ; the watch 
 was sure, though unobtrusive. However, she steadily 
 improved, and rode out every afternoon, her mother 
 beside her in the carriage, her nurse opposite. At last, 
 one morning, having made my accustomed visit, Mr?. 
 Ferris followed me out of the room, and having thanked 
 me for my attention and skill, asked for my account. I 
 was not surprised ; it was just the move I anticipated. 
 Having complied with her request, my visits to Miss 
 Ferris ceased, and our old positions were resumed. 
 Miss Ferris, however, was very quiet when at the public 
 table, acting very much as those around her did, and 
 now and then we interchanged a few words on general 
 topics; but once the meal was over, I only caught 
 glimpses of her for the rest of the day. Mrs. Ferris, on 
 the contrary, took particular pains to talk to me, and 
 always met me with a fascinating smile and an agreeable 
 manner, never leaving me without going over what I 
 had done for her dear child, and thanking me again and 
 again for the visible improvement in her health, caused 
 by my skilful treatment. 
 
 One fine morning Miss Ferris did not come down to
 
 Df WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE STRENGTHENED. 45 
 
 breakfast. " She was not at all indisposed," her mother 
 said, " only tired and unwilling to make any exertion." 
 Her breakfast was sent to her, and after walking irreso- 
 lutely up and down my room, debating some means of 
 obtaining an interview with her, I took my hat and left 
 the house, passing purposely the window generally 
 chosen by Mr. Parker and Mrs. Ferris for their daily 
 council of two. They saw me, as I intended they should, 
 and as I raised my hat Mrs. Ferris bestowed on me one 
 of her most fascinating smiles. I remained out a longer 
 time than I had intended, for, rambling along, cogita- 
 ting many things in my mind, I lost my way, and in 
 trying to retrace my steps I came upon so many new 
 beauties of scenery, wild flowers, and artistic effects, 
 that I forgot myself in my almost childish delight, and 
 remained contemplating them, entirely unmindful of the 
 time that was passing away. At last I reached the 
 hotel tired out, and sat down for a rest in the hall-way. 
 My communicative friend, the waiter, coming along 
 with the gong in his hand, gave me an inquisitive look 
 before he commenced his artistic efforts on its surface. 
 At last, having given the concluding touch with a 
 graceful flourish of his arm, he drew near me and caught 
 my eye. 
 
 " They're all gone, sir." 
 
 " What ! Who are all gone ? What do you mean ? " 
 I asked, struck by his remark. 
 
 " Why, Mrs. Ferns and her sick daughter; they left 
 just after breakfast."
 
 4:6 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 For a moment I was too much surprised to speak ; at 
 last I found understanding and breath at the same time. 
 " Where did they go ? did you hear ? " 
 " No, sir, not a word ; they did it all very quickly 
 and very quietly," was the answer. 
 " Who took them to the station ? " 
 " One of our men ; he is in the stable now." 
 "Did you notice Miss Ferris, whether she looked 
 strong ? " I asked. 
 
 " She had such a thick veil on, sir, I couldn't catch a 
 sight of her face, but James says that he knows she 
 didn't want to go, because she cried all the way to the 
 cars ; however, as the poor thing is mad, perhaps she 
 didn't know where she was going, or what she was cry- 
 ing for." 
 
 I didn't answer this last proposition, but went to the 
 stables in search of James. I found him in the centre 
 of a group describing how he drove " the poor young 
 woman that was out of her mind entirely," to the cars, 
 and how they had to lift her in by force, while she kept 
 calling on the doctor to save her. Seeing me, James 
 lowered his voice at once and came forward. I drew 
 him aside, and learned that the trunks had been checked 
 through for New York. This was all I cared to hear. 
 I started for Buffalo that afternoon, arranged for a 
 longer absence than I had at first intended, and leaving 
 my shooting and fishing apparatus in care of Mrs. 
 Marks, I took the first train going east, with a bitter 
 feeling of having been outwitted very cleverly. I heard
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE STRENGTHENED. 47 
 
 of them all along the route till we reached New York ; 
 there I lost them. In that busy, noisy, rushing place, a 
 small party, probably divided on purpose, would attract 
 no notice whatever. 
 
 My first point was Mr. Master's office, so I put up at 
 a quiet house, looked out his number in the directory, 
 and then started for the place. I found no one in but a 
 nice-looking lad of fourteen, who was dusting out the 
 place. He told me that Mr. Masters had been travel- 
 ling all summer, and was not expected home till Novem- 
 ber ; Mr. Price, his partner, would attend to any thing 
 I might have to say. Here was a dilemma. Of what 
 use could Mr. Price be to me ? Probably he had never 
 heard of Mrs. Ferris. I explained that it was private 
 business, to which Mr. Masters alone could attend. 
 " Well, he could give me an address, but it was very 
 unlikely that the letter would ever reach Mr. Masters, 
 as he was never in one place for any length of time." 
 There was a pile of letters, directed to Mr. Masters, on 
 his private desk, awaiting his return. However, I de- 
 termined to risk it, and so I wrote a short, distinct 
 account of what had taken place during the few weeks 
 just past, recalled myself to his memory, and begged 
 of him to return at once to New York, where I would 
 await him. Having directed it, I posted it at once, and 
 then commenced a general search at every hotel and 
 boarding-house in the city likely to contain Mrs. Ferris 
 and he* unfortunate step-daughter.
 
 CHAPTER HI. 
 
 IN WDICn MY SUSPICIONS ARE COSTFIRMED. . 
 
 FOR three weeks I spent my time as follows : visit- 
 ing Mr. Masters' office, only to learn " that he was not 
 at home nor had they heard from him ; " examining hotel 
 registers, going to every house that contained any one 
 named Ferris, according to the directory ; and peering 
 into every carriage and under every bonnet that I met 
 in my long walks. All without success ; I was becom- 
 ing thin from anxiety and disappointment. The boy in 
 Mr. Masters' office must have concluded that I was a 
 harmless sort of lunatic. At first he condescended to 
 answer my inquiries, and proposed Mr. Price as an ad- 
 viser. Finding his counsel of no use, he gradually 
 ceased in his attentions to me, until at last, he would 
 look up from his occupation as I would open the door, 
 shake his head in anticipation of the usual question, 
 and then return to it without bestowing on me another 
 glance. 
 
 Fortunately for myself, I had recognized, one evening, 
 in a gentleman standing on the steps of the St. Nicholas
 
 m WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE CONFIRMED. 49 
 
 Hotel, an old chum of mine, Harry Weston by name, 
 who was on from Richmond for a few weeks of New 
 York entertainment. "We spent an evening together 
 very often, comparing experiences, and amusing our- 
 selves with reminiscences of old times. In my anxious 
 state of mind I was always glad to meet him, for being 
 a light-hearted, merry fellow, without a care in the 
 world, he generally relieved me of a portion of my de- 
 spondency, and succeeded in imbuing me with some of 
 his own buoyancy of spirit. 
 
 One morning, in the early part of November, I 
 opened the door of Mr. Masters' office, and looked up 
 in anticipation of the usual negative shake to which I 
 had become so accustomed. To my joyful surprise, 
 there at his desk sat Mr. Masters, looking very fresh 
 and ruddy, as though his vacation had agreed with 
 him. He was so intent on a letter which he held before 
 him, that I had advanced almost to his side before he 
 looked off it and glanced at me. 
 
 I held out my hand and asked him, " Do you. remem- 
 ber me?" 
 
 He hesitated a moment, as if trying to place me ; 
 but the instant I mentioned the name of Ferris, a bright 
 smile broke over his face, and he grasped my hand with 
 a warmth of manner and a word of welcome, that no 
 doubt astonished the office-boy, who happened to be 
 the only witness of the scene. 
 
 "You are the very man of all others that I want- 
 ed ! " he exclaimed. " You find me puzzled to death over 
 3
 
 50 DE. WILMEE'B LOVE. 
 
 a letter from our old acquaintance Mrs. Ferris. It 
 would take me a month to tell you of the life she has 
 led "me these last six years. What do you think she 
 has done now ? I have been trying for three years to 
 see Arthur Ferris's child, without success. Here is a 
 letter in which she tells me, ' that her poor unfortunate 
 child is in such a broken state of health, that it is 
 necessary to take her to Europe for two or three years,' 
 and she is gone a month ! This letter has been lying 
 here all that time." 
 
 I was so shocked, that the expression of my face 
 caught the old gentleman's attention. 
 
 " There is something the matter," he said ; " you 
 suspect something what is it ? " 
 
 I told him what had brought me to New York, and 
 detained me in the city so long. The effect of my story 
 was terrible on him. All at once the plot lay clear 
 before him. 
 
 For years she had so managed, that Mr. Masters had 
 never once seen his ward. Now she had taken her 
 completely out of his reach, as there was no direc- 
 tion given in the letter to which he could write; the 
 apology being, that her plans were unsettled, and that 
 as soon as possible she would communicate with him 
 again. I read her letter over and over very carefully. 
 It was cautious, and apparently perfectly open in its 
 tenor. She explained that Arabella's health was very 
 unsatisfactory ; that she had travelled all over the coun- 
 try to benefit her, but without success, and that a cele-
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE CONFIRMED. 51 
 
 brated physician of Buffalo, whom she had consulted, 
 had at once recommended a sea-voyage, and a residence 
 iu the south of Europe, until her health should be com- 
 pletely reestablished. On arriving in New York she 
 had been unable to see him (Mr. Masters), but Mr. Par- 
 ker, whom she had consulted all through the affair, ap- 
 proved of the plan. She would have awaited his return, 
 but in view of the rapidly failing strength of her 
 daughter, she had been obliged to waive all her own 
 wishes, and think only of Arabella. 
 
 The perfect plausibility of the letter made my heart 
 sink within me. How long would the child live where 
 there was no human being to take her part, or stand 
 between her and her two unscrupulous guardians? 
 "What might they not attempt and accomplish ? We 
 two men sat looking at each other in the little office, 
 conscious of the misery and suffering before the poor 
 girl, and utterly powerless legally to save her out of 
 their hands. At last Mr. Masters looked up with a 
 faint ray of hope breaking over his face, and spoke : 
 
 " My wife and I will start for Europe at once ; she 
 is used to travelling, and likes it. It won't take us any 
 time to prepare for the voyage. If it is possible to over- 
 reach that woman and conceal the child for three years, 
 until she is of age under her father's will, I shall take 
 the responsibility on myself; in such a case as this, de- 
 ception becomes a virtue." 
 
 "Had we not better find out whether or not Mr. 
 Parker is with them ? " I asked.
 
 52 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 " That is the first move," was the reply. " I shall go 
 now and decide the question. Will you dine with me 
 this evening, and explain your views of the case to my 
 wife ? I should like her to hear "it from your own lips ; 
 and in the event of our being successful in gaining pos- 
 session of the child, we had better form some plan for 
 her protection with your assistance." 
 
 I agreed to his proposal with pleasure ; so he handed 
 me his card and we parted I going up-town, and he 
 to Mr. Parker's place of business. While passing up 
 Broadway, I felt a hand laid on my shoulder, and turn- 
 ing, met Harry Weston's bright eyes and pleasant 
 voice. 
 
 "Why, Jack, you're looking a hundred per cent, 
 better than you did yesterday. Has she consented ? or 
 has the board declared a dividend?" 
 
 " Xeither the one nor the other ; but Mr. Masters 
 has returned the gentleman I have been waiting so 
 long to see." 
 
 " Well, the sight of him has had a very good effect 
 upon you. I start for home to-morrow evening. To- 
 morrow morning, I think of joining a party on a visit 
 to some of the city institutions. Will you come ? " 
 
 I hesitated for a moment. 
 
 " Now don't refuse, Jack ; the air and scenery will do 
 both of us good. Of course, as far as the institutions 
 and. their inmates are concerned, there is not much nov- 
 elty about them. Such misery is only too common and 
 familiar to us. However, I can promise for the party
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ABE CONFIRMED. 53 
 
 being a pleasant one, and you shall have an introduc- 
 tion to three of the prettiest and most agreeable girls in 
 the world." 
 
 The allusion to the three " prettiest and most agreea- 
 ble girls in the world," recalled to my mind the form of 
 another girl, who, under happier circumstances, might 
 have been ranked in the same category. Seeing how 
 grave and preoccupied I was becoming, my companion 
 drew my arm in his and turned the conversation on 
 other topics. By the time we had reached his hotel, his 
 genial manner had produced its usual effect upon me, 
 and I had promised to meet him at the house where the 
 pleasure-party would assemble, by ten o'clock the next 
 morning. That evening I kept my appointment with 
 Mr. Masters, and was introduced to his wife, whom I 
 found a pleasant, warm-hearted little woman, if any 
 thing too impulsive ; she having formed already in her 
 own mind some impossible scheme that she was very 
 impatient to accomplish without any further discussion. 
 We sat till a late hour, a council of three, planning 
 ways and means. Scheme after scheme was proposed, 
 and abandoned as impracticable. Mr. Masters had as- 
 certained that Mr. Parker had been out of the city for 
 over a month, and was not expected home at any given 
 time. So we concluded that he was not far removed 
 from Mrs. Ferris and her charge, wherever they might be. 
 Mrs. Masters remembered the year of Miss Ferris's 
 birth ; and having brought down from a high shelf of 
 the bookcase an old portfolio, she took a letter out of it
 
 54 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 which contained an allusion to the circumstance, and 
 the day of the month on which it had occurred. 
 
 " She was seventeen the 5th of last September," the 
 good little woman announced, laying her glasses on the 
 table, and pushing the old letter toward me. 
 
 "And she won't be of age until the day she is 
 twenty. Two years and ten months of misery if she 
 lives, and if we don't do something at once to take her 
 out of that woman's power," remarked the old gentle- 
 man, in a determined tone of voice. 
 
 " This happens to be the 5th of November," I ob- 
 served. 
 
 " Yes, and we can't sail for a week. I couldn't pro- 
 cure a passage to-day in next Saturday's steamer for 
 love or money," Mr. Masters said, impatiently. 
 
 " Well, well, Joseph, don't fret. It may be all for 
 the best," Mrs. Masters observed, with a bright smile 
 directed toward her husband's face. 
 
 He was walking up and down the room with quick, 
 impatient steps, annoyed at the delay and inactivity 
 forced on him by circumstances. Catching the smile, 
 he stopped to caress the good, kind face raised to his, 
 and remarked: 
 
 " Ah, Sallie, if we could all possess your faith and 
 patience ! " 
 
 When leaving, he invited me to stop at his house 
 during the remainder of my stay in the city, proposing 
 that I should wait and see them off for Europe. As we 
 had arranged that he would keep me informed of every
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE CONFIRMED. 55 
 
 thing that might transpire during his absence, I declined 
 the invitation, and made up my mind to start for home 
 the next night, feeling that I had neglected my patients 
 long enough, and could be of no further service to Mr. 
 Masters. 
 
 The next morning I presented myself at the appointed 
 time and place, met my friend, and was introduced to a 
 number of young people, whose manners and appearance 
 quite astonished me. They were dressed in the gayest 
 colors ; feathers, ribbons, and ornaments of the most 
 showy and, to me, extraordinary kind, danced and 
 flashed in all directions. They laughed, they chattered, 
 they appeared to enjoy every second of time to the very 
 fullest extent. The pinning on of a veil, or the knotting 
 of a ribbon in a becoming style, seemed to be the only 
 care in life, the very summit of their ambition. They 
 treated me most politely, no doubt for my friend's sake ; 
 paid me every attention, and listened with deference, 
 and bright, attentive looks, to all my remarks. Before 
 many hours passed, I became convinced that the light 
 spirits, which had at first appeared to me exaggerated 
 and assumed, were really natural and usual to them. I 
 concluded that the fault, and need of something, I could 
 not tell what, lay in myself. In fact, my youth was 
 gone, with all its light-hearted ness and lack of care. 
 My profession was a saddening one in its effect, taken 
 at its best, and, joined to my natural disposition, had 
 served to make me graver and more thoughtful than 
 most men of thirty-four. Besides, want of means had
 
 56 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 kept me out of company when young, and by the time 
 that want was no longer felt, society had lost for me all 
 its attractions. Thus it happened that I stood on the 
 deck of the little steamboat, in the midst of this merry 
 party, with the feeling at my heart of not possessing 
 one thought in common with them. 
 
 The " three prettiest and most agreeable girls in the 
 world " were standing at a little distance off, looking 
 at the scenery, and passing remarks on every object 
 that attracted their attention. Harry Weston stood, 
 partly leaning against the railing of the deck, listening 
 and answering, his bright face all sparkling with pleas- 
 ure and animation. He gradually drew me into the 
 conversation, which now turned on the islands, and 
 their respective buildings just coming in sight. 
 
 " Cousin Edith says that she will not go inside the 
 doors of the Lunatic Asylum, Mr. "VVeston," observed 
 one of the three girls, a tall, stylish-looking young lady, 
 \vith flashing eyes, and a bright smile that displayed 
 two beautiful dimples. 
 
 " Indeed, Mr. "Weston," replied the young lady re- 
 ferred to as cousin Edith, " it would be no pleasure to 
 me at all. I should like to see the grounds and build- 
 ings for the sake of knowing that the poor creatures 
 are well cared for; but as to looking at human misery 
 in that form, oh ! I couldn't do it ; it makes me shudder 
 even to think of it." 
 
 "Papa says that they don't allow visitors to see 
 anything very disagreeable I believe only those whose
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE CONFIRMED. 57 
 
 insanity takes a mild form, and who are perfectly harm- 
 less monomaniacs I think he called them. Those who 
 are dangerous are kept apart in some other building." 
 
 " Yes, Edith," remarked the third young lady, " and 
 Uncle William insists that plenty of them are no more 
 insane than we are. He says that their relatives place 
 them there, very often, because they are poor and in- 
 firm, and not able to support themselves ; and as it is a 
 city institution, and free, it relieves them of all ex- 
 pense" 
 
 " But, Carrie, how can that be ? Surely the physi- 
 cian in charge would not receive them unless they had 
 some form of insanity," asked Miss Edith, unconvinced. 
 
 " Well, he thinks so. What he means is this : they 
 may be a little weak on some one point, and perfectly 
 harmless ; of course, if they were rich, it would be 
 parsed over and concealed, or else called eccentricity ; 
 but being poor, it is made an excuse for putting them 
 out of the way, where they can give no trouble." 
 
 " Do you believe what Cousin Carrie says ? " asked 
 Miss Edith, with an appealing look at Harry Weston. 
 
 " 3!ost decidedly," was his reply. " The private 
 asylums throughout the country contain many such 
 cases. If people in good circumstances are unwilling 
 to take charge of their relatives so afflicted, we can 
 hardly wonder if those of a lower rank in life take ad- 
 vantage of this free institution to rid themselves of such 
 a responsibility." 
 
 Miss Edith Fullerton looked shocked, and Harry 
 3*
 
 58 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 quickly began speaking on some other subject. When 
 it was time to go on shore, he placed her in my charge ; 
 and during our stay in the different buildings, I was 
 pleased with her sensible, well-chosen remarks, and sur- 
 prised at the interest she exhibited in every thing shown 
 us. The day was fine and sunny, and remarkably warm 
 for the season. Every thing in nature was perfect, and 
 exhilarating in its effect, tending to make the heart sad- 
 der as we wandered through these huge edifices telling 
 of crime and degradation, and gazed on their wretched 
 inmates. 
 
 We were a large party, gay and merry in spite of all 
 these fearittl surroundings. How almost impossible it 
 is to bring the miseries of others home to ourselves ! 
 My companions laughed and chatted on, looking with 
 curious eyes at the figures, in convicts' garments, pass- 
 ing and repassing, as if they belonged to another 
 world and order of being. As we left the workhouse, 
 accompanied by the warden, we came upon a procession 
 of women on their way to it. My companion shivered, 
 and clung closer to my arm as we stood aside to let 
 them pass. Would any one believe that they had ever 
 been young, ever been innocent, and yet some of them 
 had not reached their eighteenth year ! Just as they 
 had been taken off the streets the night before, and 
 placed in the station-houses, they were put on the boat 
 in the morning and sent " to the island." They passed 
 before us with lowered heads, the personification of 
 moral degradation.
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE CONFIRMED. 59 
 
 " They look upon this as their home," the warden 
 remarked, in answer to some observation that I did not 
 hear. " The same ones are sent here over and over 
 again. You see they have no home nor character, they 
 can't find work, nobody will have any tiling to do with 
 them ; so as soon as their time is up, and we send them, 
 back to the city, they begin to drink and fight on pur- 
 pose to be put up again." 
 
 " And can nothing be done for them in this large 
 city, so full of churches and benevolent societies ? " 
 asked Miss Fullerton. " Surely there are ways by which 
 a reform could be effected." 
 
 " Well, there are several clergymen doing their best 
 to be allowed to visit here, and I hope they will succeed 
 in their efforts. Some such influence is sadly needed, 
 but you have no idea of the difficulties attending such 
 a work. The evils they will have to contend against 
 are beyond description. Where the moral degradation 
 is so complete, an appeal to the reason becomes impos- 
 sible ; you can only hope to reach them through their 
 feelings, and they have grown so blunted by neglect 
 and misery, that how to touch them is a question. They 
 have lost all faith in humanity, and they have no knowl- 
 edge of a higher Power." 
 
 The warden spoke feelingly and with emphasis, sin- 
 cerely deploring the wretchedness which he had neither 
 power nor authority to ameliorate. We pursued our 
 way toward the lunatic asylum, admiring the grounds 
 and the situation of the various buildings connected
 
 60 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 with it. On reaching the entrance, we were met by one 
 of the assistant physicians, who politely offered to show 
 us through the building, and explain any thing that we 
 might like to understand. Miss Fullerton refused to 
 enter the place, and proposed remaining in a small 
 summer-house, that had caught her attention, standing 
 not far from us in the midst of a flower-garden. Find- 
 ing it impossible to overrule her objections, we left her 
 admiring some plants not yet out of bloom, and pro- 
 ceeded on our tour of inspection. We were shown one 
 hall, with little dormitories opening out of it, in -which 
 were a number of women of various ages. Some were 
 singing, others sewing, many walking back and forth 
 with quick, decided steps, clasped hands, and bent heads. 
 They appeared to be engaged in deep thought, but we 
 were assured that their minds were quite vacant, their 
 understanding gone forever. A few attempted to at- 
 tract our notice, but entire indifference to us was almost 
 general ; they had, no doubt, become quite accustomed 
 to being gazed at by parties of gayly-attired, sight- 
 hunting visitors. The place was scrupulously clean, 
 light, and airy, and they appeared to be furnished with 
 means for occupation and amusement. On our way out 
 we stepped into a little museum, supplied by good-heart- 
 ed contributors with many interesting curiosities, in- 
 tended for the amusement and instruction of the afflicted 
 inmates of the institution. While there, Harry Weston 
 entered into a conversation regarding the social condi- 
 tion of the people committed to the asylum. The young
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ABE CONFIRMED. 61 
 
 doctor was very explicit and communicative on the sub- 
 ject. He informed us that the head physician had made 
 insanity his study for years, and was considered the 
 very highest authority in that branch of his profession 
 in the country. For that reason, people of wealth and 
 position often intrusted their relatives to his care, be- 
 cause, while his skill was undisputed, he could have no 
 object in detaining them longer than would be necessary 
 in order to effect a cure, the institution being a chari- 
 table one. In private asylums, the temptation to pro- 
 long a patient's recovery was not always resisted. 
 
 " Then you discharge the person as soon as you con- 
 sider him or her perfectly recovered ? " said Harry. 
 
 " Yes, there is no object to us in keeping them here, 
 they are only an expense to the city. If they are in- 
 curable and poor, they remain here, or we send them to 
 their relatives if desired ; of course, we have no power 
 to detain them, if their own people are able and willing 
 to take charge of them. In many cases they are left 
 with us by persons apparently well off, whom we never 
 see or hear of again. Poor, harmless creatures, who 
 might as well be cared for at home as far as their being 
 dangerous is concerned, but then they are a trouble, and 
 so they end their lives here with us. There are some 
 who have been here over twenty years." 
 
 The announcement that we "just had time to reach 
 the steamboat," broke off the conversation at this inter- 
 esting point, and gathering up shawls and parasols we 
 listened down to the entrance, just beyond which stood
 
 62 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 Miss Fullerton, looking very pale and thoughtful. She 
 put her arm in mine without speaking, but as soon as 
 \ve were out of the garden and on the road she gave a 
 quick glance around her and said abruptly : 
 
 " I believe now what Cousin Came said. There was 
 one of the prettiest young girls I ever saw, gathering 
 flowers in the garden, and from the way she spoke I 
 believe she is just as sensible as I am." 
 
 " Probably she is one of the doctor's family I be- 
 lieve they reside on the island," I said. 
 
 " Not at all ; she told me that her own people had 
 placed her here, and that she feels happier here than 
 with them, as long as she is allowed to go about and 
 amuse herself alone with the flowers ; but she thinks it 
 is dreadful to be put among those who are really insane 
 at other times." 
 
 " I think," I remarked, " that it is a symptom of in- 
 sanity, that of believing one's self sane, and all around 
 us mad." 
 
 " I only wish you had seen her, as it is impossible 
 for me to convince you that she is perfectly rational." 
 
 "She may be a monomaniac, and you, probably, 
 didn't touch on the subject likely to arouse her. W;is 
 she quite young ? In that case there may be hopes en- 
 tertained of her complete recovery." 
 
 " I should say, if asked, that she was about sixteen ; 
 she is very childish both in manner and appearance, and 
 I never saw such eyes except in a picture." 
 
 Miss Fullerton sighed, and we pursued our way tow-
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE CONFIRMED. 63 
 
 ard the steamboat landing in silence. The little she 
 had seen appeared to be quite enough for her, and had 
 visibly affected her spirits. We reached the boat and 
 were about seating ourselves comfortably on deck with 
 the rest of the party, when she suddenly exclaimed : 
 
 " Oh ! Dr. Wilmer, I have lost my shawl and parasol. 
 I must have left them on the bench in the summer-house, 
 for I don't recollect having them since." 
 
 The shawl was a large, extra one, provided in case 
 of the weather becoming colder on our return trip. I 
 had carried it on my arm all the morning, but curiously 
 enough had neither missed it nor thought of it after 
 leaving the asylum. 
 
 " I shall have time to find them," I answered, and I 
 made my way off the boat and up the narrow road as 
 fast as I could. 
 
 As it happened, I met no one who appeared to be 
 employed in any official capacity about the place, and I 
 hastened toward the summer-house, trying to catch a 
 glimpse of the bright-colored object of my search. I 
 had my hand on it when I heard a rustling sound, and 
 a cry of joy, and the next second Arabella Ferris was 
 clinging round my neck, breathless with surprise and 
 delight. I don't know what I said, I know that I sank 
 on the bench, and clasped her in my arms, completely 
 overpowered by emotions that I can neither explain nor 
 express. When I looked up she was sitting with clasped 
 hands, her soft eyes fixed on ray face, and an expression 
 of perfect faith and peace on her own. That my pres-
 
 64: DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 ence was all-powerful for her release and protection was 
 her firm belief. I sat looking at her without speaking. 
 What to do was the question that I was resolving in 
 my mind. Moments were precious, a wilt plan flashed 
 through my brain and I determined to risk its attempt. 
 She was dressed in a dark material not unlike what Miss 
 Fullerton wore, and her hat lay beside her on the ground. 
 I folded the shawl and fastened it on her in a way to 
 hide her dress, drew her arm in mine, opened the parasol 
 and held it over her head as we left the summer-house. 
 Once outside, I glanced around ; no one was observing 
 us that I could see, and we walked through the garden 
 toward the road leading to the boat-landing. We had 
 gone but a short way when we saw the boat out in the 
 river, steaming in the direction of the city. My com- 
 panion hitherto had not spoken ; she only followed my 
 directions and clung to my arm firmly, endeavoring 
 with all her strength to keep her trembling steps up 
 with mine. That she was very weak I could tell by 
 looking down at the thin, white hand grasping my 
 arm. Now, when I stopped short in the road, disap- 
 pointed and almost despairing, she looked up suddenly, 
 and exclaimed : 
 
 "I know what to do: come to the boat-house, and 
 the 'admiral' will take us across the river in the row- 
 boat." 
 
 I looked surprised. " What do you mean ? who is 
 the 'admiral?'" 
 
 ,,IIc belongs here, and has charge of the boat ; very
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE CONFIRMED. G5 
 
 frequently visitors go over to the city that way ; I often 
 sit and watch it going across." 
 
 She had turned, while speaking, in the other direc- 
 tion, and we Valked as rapidly as possible toward the 
 northern end of the island. It did not take us long to 
 reach our destination, a little boat-house, near which, in 
 the water, lay a boat about pushing off. It contained 
 several gentlemen who had been inspecting the island, 
 and who were, fortunately for us, returning to the city 
 by this agreeable way. Catching sight of us, ah old 
 man who stood in the boat, touched his hat, a most 
 comical affair, ornamented with faded artificial flowers, 
 and waited for us. He assisted Miss Ferris into the 
 boat, and the gentlemen politely made room for us 
 among its cushions. The old man with the ornamented 
 hat gave an order in an important nautical tone of 
 voice, as if his little sail-boat were a three decker, and 
 then seated himself at the helm. The next moment 
 we were gliding through the water toward the opposite 
 bank. My companion had sunk on the seat in an al- 
 most fainting condition ; the mere hope of liberty was 
 enough to excite her at any time ; now that the hope 
 seemed about to be fulfilled, she was completely over- 
 come with joy. Feeling afraid, lest one of the gentle- 
 men in the boat might belong to the institution, and 
 recognize her, I sat with one arm round her waist 
 supporting her, and the other holding the parasol over 
 her face. The gentlemen, who were all very stout and 
 ruddy looking, talked without ceasing on various sub-
 
 66 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 jects, mostly political ones. My attention was more or 
 less attracted by them, and I felt rather 'amused than 
 otherwise at some of the opinions they expressed. 
 After a while they all lit cigars, and began discussing 
 a dinner-party about coming off on one of the islands. 
 They became so interested on the subjects of salmon, 
 turtle-soup, and champagne, that I turned without feel- 
 ing any further uneasiness to my companion and the 
 consideration .of her position. She was too we'ak and 
 frightened to utter a word, and I tried to reassure her, 
 and imbue her with the courage necessary to a success- 
 ful termination of our adventure. We were rapidly 
 approaching the shore, when I observed with dismay a 
 small party of gentlemen awaiting our arrival. They 
 were standing on a platform, or kind of piazza, at- 
 tached to a public house that stood on the bank front- 
 ing the river. Their voices and merry laughter were 
 wafted toward us by the wind, and attracted the atten- 
 tion of the gentlemen in the boat. 
 
 A number of loud salutations now ensued, among 
 which the words " doctor " and " governor " were very 
 distinct. In the midst of it all I felt Miss Ferris trembling, 
 and, looking at her face, saw that it was white with fear. 
 
 "That is the doctor who is talking; I know his 
 voice. What shall I do ? please don't let him take me 
 back again ! " Her voice was so low that I could hardly 
 catch the meaning of the words. Just then we touched 
 the wharf, and the men put out their hooks and steadied 
 the boat alongside for us to land.
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AKE COOTIKMED. 67 
 
 " Courage," I whispered ; " don't give up yet, we are 
 nearly safe." 
 
 The gentlemen sprang out first, and up the wooden 
 steps, joining the other party at the top of them. Here 
 was a dilemma. It would he rather a difficult matter to 
 pass, unobserved by the vigilant doctor, this watchful 
 group. One gentleman came to my rescue ; who he was 
 I have never found out, but I owe him many thanks. 
 I was assisting Miss Ferris out of the boat, painfully 
 conscious of the glances fixed on us, yet not daring to 
 let her observe my fears, when he called out, in a full, 
 cheerful voice : " Come, gentlemen, we are not going to 
 part this way ; let us have a bottle of wine." The next 
 minute he had turned in the direction of the house, fol- 
 lowed by the whole group. To lift Miss Ferris up the 
 steps, and half carry her across the platform, was the 
 work of but a few moments. The carriage, in which the 
 doctor and his party had driven out from the city, stood 
 in the street, near the side of the public-house. The 
 driver, who was preparing to return to the city, jumped 
 off his box with alacrity on observing my signal, and 
 opened the door. I lifted Miss Ferris into it, gave him 
 the direction of Mr. Masters' house, and then threw 
 myself back on the cushions with a long-drawn sigh of 
 relief. That over, I made a pillow of my overcoat and 
 put it under my companion's head ; wrapped Miss Ful- 
 lerton's shawl around her, and enjoined strict silence. 
 
 She slept very quietly after a little while, and I sat 
 watching her, with curious emotions, caused by mingled
 
 68 DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 joy and thankfulness, swelling in my heart. It was a long 
 and, to me, entirely unfamiliar road, which we traversed 
 that chilly November evening. Anxiety on Miss Fer- 
 ris's account, without doubt, made it appear even more 
 tedious ; and, when at last the driver stopped his horses 
 and opened the door to announce our arrival at our des- 
 tination, my fears for her had increased alarmingly. 
 Miss Ferris, though still sleeping, was talking incohe- 
 rently and burning with fever. The driver rang the bell 
 of the house, and as soon as the door was opened, I car- 
 ried her up the steps, through the hall, and into the par- 
 lor, where sat Mr. and Mrs. Masters awaiting the an- 
 nouncement of dinner. They started from their chairs 
 on seeing me, and heard with speechless amazement my 
 first words : 
 
 " This is Miss Ferris. Don't ask me any thing," I 
 continued, " until she is in bed, and don't wait a mo- 
 ment, but get a room ready for her at once." 
 
 Mrs. Masters hurried away without another word, 
 and her husband stood looking with tearful eyes at the 
 slight, wasted form on the sofa before him. Miss Fer- 
 ris lay regarding him with a curious expression of half 
 recognition on her face. From him her eyes wandered 
 to me, and she murmured the words, " Don't leave me." 
 
 " You are safe now," I said, soothingly ; " you are 
 with your father's old friends. They will take care of 
 you." 
 
 Mr. Masters by degrees brought himself to her recol- 
 lection, and she listened with a smile on her face while
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ARE CONFIRMED. 69 
 
 he talked over days long since passed away, when she 
 had sat on his knee, and eaten candies out of his pocket. 
 I let him talk on, knowing that it was necessary for her 
 to fully trust in and love these kind people, the only 
 ones to stand between her and her dreaded step-mother. 
 She was Mr. Masters' god-child as it turned out, and 
 had always been very fond of him in the old happy 
 
 
 
 times before her father's death. So he chatted on, bring- 
 ing to mind various pets and toys that she had owned, 
 and different little expeditions to bookstores and candy- 
 shops that they had undertaken together. Listening to 
 them, I began to question whether it would not be bet- 
 ter to take up the threads of her life just at this happy 
 point, from which they had been so cruelly turned away, 
 and by never mentioning what had passed in the last 
 six years, try to make her forget all its later miseries. 
 She had been, on the whole, a happy little child; in 
 knowledge and feeling she was one still. She knew 
 nothing of books, her whole study for six long years had 
 been the characters and impulses of the two women 
 who had controlled her life during that time. Of that 
 phase of human nature her experience was a sad and 
 minute one. She might live to an old age, and never 
 meet with it again. 
 
 When Mrs. Masters came back, she found Miss 
 Ferris sitting up, with her hand in Mr. Masters', smiling 
 at the story of some childish prank of hers that he was 
 telling. The good woman took the young girl into her 
 heart at once, kissing her and almost crying over her.
 
 70 DK. WJLMER'S LOVE. 
 
 Seeing that her fear of these new friends was dissipated, 
 I at once prescribed rest, and no more talking. How- 
 ever, I had to promise to go up and see her before leav- 
 ing the house, so as to satisfy her mind, and then she 
 went away, with Mrs. Masters' motherly arm around 
 her, and a servant with a very good-natured face fol- 
 lowing them. Mrs. Masters sent us down word^ that 
 she could not think of leaving the poor child, at least 
 until she slept, so we dined without her ; and I gave Mr. 
 Masters a circumstantial account of my day's adven- 
 tures. The good man was more astonished than even I 
 had been. 
 
 That Mrs. Ferris should trust the child out of her 
 own keeping seemed incredible to him. I accounted for 
 it easily enough in my own mind. She had no doubt 
 come to the conclusion that making away with the girl, 
 by the means that I had discovered her using, was a 
 highly dangerous undertaking one open to a great 
 risk, and not very easily accomplished. There was no 
 fear of any one that she knew ever meeting the child, or 
 recognizing her, in a lunatic asylum, provided for the 
 poor and friendless of another class. Besides, she had 
 left her to live or die there, careless of which it might 
 be. She had abandoned her entirely, feeling quite sure 
 that release was impossible except by death ; a result 
 very probable, as in case she did not sink under physi- 
 cal weakness, the blue waters were spread out on all 
 sides around her inviting her to bury her cares forever 
 in their depths. Mr. Masters was inclined to think that
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE CONFIRMED. 71 
 
 Mrs. Ferris would communicate with the head physi- 
 cian, and learn in time of her daughter's strange dis- 
 appearance. I held to the contrary opinion ; but 
 Mrs. Masters came down, and having heard all the 
 particulars, agreed with us, that Miss Ferris should be 
 removed from the city as soon as she was able to travel. 
 It was best to be prepared for all emergencies, Mr. 
 Masters thought, and it was necessary to conceal the 
 fact of Miss Ferris's existence in the United States, for 
 at least two years and ten months. 
 
 "The day she reaches her twentieth year, Doctor 
 Wilmer, will be a merry one for us. "We shall have a 
 jollification of some kind, as sure as my name is Joe 
 Masters." 
 
 "I only hope she will be alive on that day, and I 
 shall be satisfied," Mrs. Masters answered, with a dole- 
 ful look and an ominous shake of her head. 
 
 Mr. Masters gave me a questioning glance. 
 
 " Miss Ferris is not strong," I said, in answer to his 
 eager gaze in my face ; " but I don't think she is any 
 worse than when I saw her in September. Now she has 
 a bright prospect before her, and that will do more to 
 restore her to health than any thing I could prescribe." 
 
 " You must understand her constitution better than 
 any doctor could that we might call in," remarked Mr. 
 Masters ; " still, if you would like a consultation " 
 
 " It will not be necessary," I answered. " Her ner- 
 vous system is terribly weakened; rest and freedom 
 from all excitement, and especially from all recollection
 
 72 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 of what she has suffered, are positively required. I 
 should advise, after a little while, taking up her educa- 
 tion just where she left it off, and treating her exactly 
 as you would a child. If it be possible, let her have her 
 girlhood, with all its innocence, and freedom from care 
 and knowledge of the world." 
 
 " I don't think it would ever do to send her to a 
 boarding-school," said Mrs. Masters ; " the girls would 
 laugh at her ignorance, and increase her nervousness." 
 
 "And we can't keep her here," Mr. Masters replied. 
 "If Mrs. Ferris hears of her escape, we shall have a 
 whole force of detectives watching every movement we 
 make. Come, doctor," he went on, " concoct some 
 plan for hiding the young lady, and at the same time 
 providing the means for educating her properly. She 
 will have the spending of ten thousand a year, and she 
 must be prepared for the position she will occupy, if all 
 goes well." 
 
 I sat lost in thought, debating a point in my mind. 
 I had formed a plan, and it seemed a feasible one, and 
 yet I was diffident about proposing it. I was question- 
 ing my own motives in regard to it. 
 
 " Out with it, doctor ! " cried Mr. Masters ; " you've 
 thought of something, I can see that by your face. That 
 is a wonderful head of yours for strategy. Come, don't 
 be bashful let us hear it ! " 
 
 So I explained to him that my mother and sister 
 were living alone in a very quiet little village near 
 Albany ; that the house was roomy, and the neighbor-
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS ABE COOTT1EMED. 73 
 
 hood all that could be desired ; that my sister had been 
 educated for a teacher, and had been a very success- 
 ful one for many years, until our mother's health failed, 
 and it became necessary for her to undertake the man- 
 agement of the house. Before I was half through, Mr. 
 Masters was shaking my hand, and declaring that noth- 
 ing could be better; Mrs. Masters was equally delight- 
 ed ; and it was agreed that I should write at once to 
 my sister, and make all the proper arrangements. 
 On going up to visit my patient, I found her asleep, 
 with the good-natured-looking servant keeping watch 
 beside her. Promising to return and finish my stay in 
 New York at Mr. Masters' house, I started for Harry 
 "VVeston's hotel, and caught him just about leaving it for 
 the cars, his valise in his hand and his overcoat on his arm. 
 He was surprised and delighted to see me, they all hav- 
 ing concluded that I was on the island for the night. 
 
 "But what have you done with yourself?" he ex- 
 claimed, giving me a long look. "I never saw such a 
 change in a man as that sail has made in you ; it was 
 very effective. Upon my word, Jack, you do me credit 
 I shall put that down among my wonderful cures." 
 
 " Harry," I said, " if you will have patience for 
 three years, I will let you into a secret. It is not my 
 own, or you should know it now." 
 
 "So you want to make me believe that it is some 
 stupid secret, and not my sail, that has affected you so 
 powerfully. Come, Jack, don't be jealous of my supe- 
 rior skill; but remember, three year* from to-day I shall 
 4
 
 74 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 come North and hear your wonderful mystery." I ac- 
 companied him to the cars, and having procured Miss 
 Fullerton's address, bade him a hearty " good-by." 
 
 On returning to Mr. Masters' house, I heard that 
 my patient was awake, but delirious. True enough, 
 meeting me so unexpectedly, and escaping so success- 
 fully when almost despairing, had been too much excite- 
 ment for the weakened nerves and brain. We passed a 
 terrible night, listening to her curiously mingled ra- 
 vings. Niagara, her fall, and our few conversations 
 together, were inextricably confounded with her journey 
 to New York, her arrival at the lunatic asylum, and 
 her escape from it. Mrs. Masters listened attentively 
 and cried bitterly over the sufferings and cruelties she 
 had endured ; and Mr. Masters had to go down to the 
 parlor, where he vented his rage against Mrs. Ferris, 
 Mr. Parker, and Susan, in a most audible manner. The 
 weary ravings at length were hushed, and Miss Ferris 
 slept a quiet, refreshing sleep. In the afternoon of the 
 following day I called on Miss Fullerton and requested 
 permission to keep the bright shawl and fringed para- 
 sol, as mementoes of the preceding one. They are 
 hanging up now, in an old cabinet not very far from 
 where I sit writing. I rather think that, at the time, 
 Miss Fullerton thought, very naturally, that I had not 
 succeeded in finding them; however, she don't think so 
 at present. For two weeks I remained at Mr. Masters' 
 house, and while my patient slowly regained strength 
 of mind and body, Mrs. Masters superintended the cut-
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE CONFIRMED. 75 
 
 ting out and fitting of a most remarkable wardrobe, 
 which from its extent and costliness must have slightly 
 turned the heads of the quiet villagers for whose benefit 
 it was afterward displayed. 
 
 Mr. Masters had gone up the river, seen my mother 
 and sister, made all the arrangements, and was now en- 
 gaged in sending numerous articles up there, destined 
 for the use and comfort of his adopted daughter. 
 Among the rest was a magnificent piano-forte, whose 
 grandeur quite eclipsed the old one that stood in our 
 quiet parlor, and whose tone and volume delighted my 
 sister. When at last I decided that my patient was able 
 to travel, my sister came down to New York, and was 
 introduced to her future pupil. The change that a few 
 weeks of happiness and freedom from care had effected 
 in Miss Ferris, was quite remarkable. I felt rather 
 amused at the surprise exhibited by my sister on seeing 
 her; she had no doubt formed a very good idea of her 
 from my first letters, but I had not thought of telling of 
 the alteration which had since taken place in her health 
 and appearance. Therefore, when Miss Ferris came into 
 the room, with light steps and eyes shining with pleas- 
 ure, dressed in a rich dark silk, with soft lace shadow- 
 ing her neck and arms, and her hair falling around her 
 in long, bright curls, she quite astonished my sister, who 
 was totally unprepared for such a pretty vision. 
 
 The next moment, to the still greater surprise of that 
 quiet lady, Miss Ferris threw her arms around my neck, 
 and kissed me, exclaiming
 
 6 DE. WILMEES LOVE. 
 
 " How long you have been away ! Oh, I am so glad 
 to see you ! " 
 
 Then she turned, and was introduced to her new 
 teacher and guardian, going through the ceremony in a 
 very different manner, she having a morbid dread of all 
 strangers. 
 
 When we were alone again, my sister expressed her 
 surprise at such strange behavior on the part of a young 
 lady of seventeen, and took me to task for permitting it 
 and appearing pleased with it. 
 
 " You forget," I remonstrated, " that Miss Ferris is 
 a perfect child in all but years, and acts impulsively as 
 her feelings prompt her. She has had such a bitter ex- 
 perience thus far, that it would be cruel to check the 
 few childish qualities remaining with her. Mr. and 
 Mrs. Masters were delighted to find her exhibiting some 
 of the gayety, and if you will call it so, silliness, natu- 
 ral to her age." 
 
 My sister laughed, and patted my arm. 
 
 "John," she said, "to hear you talk, one would 
 think you were about eighty. Don't play you are so 
 old, at least, until you look it. It would never do for 
 Miss Ferris to lose her heart to you, and just at present 
 you are the first object in her thoughts. She makes no 
 secret of the fact ; it shines in her eyes, and shows in all 
 her actions." 
 
 " Which proves exactly to Avhat the feeling amounts," 
 I said. " It is gratitude, and childish admiration. Being 
 the first one to protect her ; she naturally clings to me,
 
 IN WHICH MY SUSPICIONS AEE CONFIRMED. 77 
 
 and invests me with qualities that I do not possess. At 
 present I am her hero ; it will not last very long. Three 
 years from now, when she is prepared to take her place 
 in society, young, beautiful, and fascinating, her feeling 
 for me will Ibe the same only modified ; enthusiastic 
 admiration and affection you may call it, but certainly 
 not love." 
 
 "And would you have it otherwise, John?" my 
 sister asked. "Remember her wealth, and the differ- 
 ence in age between you." 
 
 "Exactly so," I answered. "When she is beginning 
 life, surrounded by all the influences that render it at- 
 tractive, I shall be a gray-haired, old doctor, poring 
 over my dusty books, and going my usual rounds with- 
 out a thought of any thing outside of my profession." 
 
 " Ah, John, if you would only marry some nice girl 
 suited to you in age but there is no use in proposing 
 such a thing to you. You are a more confirmed old 
 bachelor every time we meet." And my sister left me, 
 without having penetrated or even suspected my secret.
 
 CHAPTER IV. 
 
 IN WHICH MBS. FEEEIS MAKES A MOVE. 
 
 MY sister spent several days in the city, making 
 necessary purchases of books, drawing-materials, music, 
 and so forth, calculated to make a very learned woman 
 out of my innocent little patient, who still ran to meet 
 me whenever I came in after being away for some hours. 
 Mr. and Mrs. Masters had become so attached to their 
 .ward, that considerations for her safety alone could 
 have induced them to part Avith her. A warm feeling 
 of affection was already forming between her and my 
 sister, so that they appeared to regard each other as 
 friends rather than as teacher and pupil. I almost 
 envied my sister the pleasant task of cultivating the 
 talents, and forming the tastes of this young girl, 
 whose naturally ardent temperament and inquiring 
 mind had received new force, and were asserting them- 
 selves in a high degree. We formed a very pleasant, 
 very happy party, and, notwithstanding the coldness of 
 the season, thoroughly enjoyed our sail up the Hudson 
 to Albany. We found my mother anxiously awaiting
 
 IN WHICH MRS. FERRIS MAKES A MOVE. 79 
 
 us, and prepared to give us all a warm welcome, espe- 
 cially Miss Ferris, for whom her deepest sympathies 
 were excited. The latter danced about the house, ex- 
 amining with interest all her new possessions, and prom- 
 ising to be very good and patient in making the best 
 use of her time. I explained to her that neither of her 
 friends could visit her often, and the necessity for this 
 precaution. She acquiesced silently in all our plans, 
 and promised to be as happy and contented as she 
 could. However, in spite of all her good resolutions, 
 she parted from us very reluctantly, and the last 
 glimpse we had of her, as we drove away, she was 
 leaning against the gate, crying bitterly. 
 
 I returned to my house and practice, to the great 
 delight of my patient and much-enduring professional 
 brother who had so kindly performed my duties 
 throughout my long absence. To say that the house 
 was duller and gloomier than ever, does not express it. 
 It was only by throwing off all recollections of the 
 weeks just passed, and pursuing my work with re- 
 doubled energies, that I could at all content myself in 
 my chosen mode of living. The secret which I had hid 
 from others was torturing me. I had made up my mind 
 to bury it, and in time overcome it. A matter easier to 
 imagine than to accomplish. In spite of her wilduess, 
 her misery, and her ignorance, Miss Ferris had taken 
 possession of my whole heart. If I had loved her in all 
 her wretchedness, her present altered condition had not 
 served to lessen the passion. As she had been, some
 
 80 DK. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 wild Lope of one day possessing her had seized upon 
 me. When I pictured her to myself as she would be at 
 some future day, not very far off, I felt the hope fade 
 and die out of my heart. " The feeling must be over- 
 come," I said to myself; " action and study will drive it 
 away." But it was not overcome ; nothing I undertook 
 had the power of dispelling or modifying it. So I car- 
 ried it about with me as a memento of something past 
 and done with, and allowed no ray of hope to shine 
 upon it, or color it with aspirations which could never 
 be realized. 
 
 My sister corresponded with me regularly, and spoke 
 in glowing terms. of her pupil's progress. From Mr. 
 Masters I received monthly bulletins, telling of Mrs. 
 Ferris, and the means she was taking for Arabella's 
 complete restoration to health. The old gentleman's 
 letters were perfect studies. Mrs. Ferris little knew 
 the amount of enjoyment afforded us by her long, care- 
 fully-worded communications. Mr. Masters quoted 
 from them largely, and added Ins own criticisms. I 
 came to the conclusion that the dear old man was 
 growing younger on account of them. Meanwhile he 
 forwarded to her all the money required for her 
 daughter's support, as calculated by her, and kept a 
 memorandum of the same in his desk. Fortunately for 
 Miss Ferris, her money was completely under the con- 
 trol of this good old man, and. Mrs. Ferris had never 
 interfered in the management of it, fearful of exciting 
 suspicion against herself. These accounts of Miss For-
 
 LST WHICH MKS. FERRIS MAKES A MOVE. 81 
 
 ris's health, transmitted from various cities in the south 
 of Europe, were quite curious and very well planned. 
 Sometimes she had improved so much, that Mrs. Ferris 
 felt very sanguine about her ; then again, she would 
 sink visibly, and cause them great uneasiness. The 
 charges for medical advice were surprising, and far ex- 
 ceeded any thing of the kind ever heard of before, at 
 least by me. 
 
 My sister's reports, on the contrary, were all that 
 could be desired ; and Mr. Masters, who frequently went 
 up to see her and her pupil, always concluded his letters 
 to me with a postscript, thanking me for the wonderful 
 plan that I had suggested. He also was in the habit of 
 informing me that " little Belle's progress in music was 
 quite astonishing." As I had left my sister strict injunc- 
 tions to watch Miss Ferris's health, and give me accurate 
 reports about it, I was able to gather from a comparison 
 of the two accounts a very good idea of how she lived 
 and spent her time. Evidently she was very happy, 
 childlike, and free from care. " To her past troubles," 
 my sister wrote, " she never alludes, and I don't think 
 that her mind reverts to them at all, she has so many 
 new occupations, and they are all so strange and novel 
 to her. As for mother, I shall soon become jealous for 
 she is completely wrapped up in the child." 
 
 Occupied by my duties and other cares, the winter 
 
 passed by almost imperceptibly to me ; and I remember 
 
 being surprised, one day in spring, at finding some early 
 
 violets peeping up from a hedge by the roadside. Dur- 
 
 4*
 
 82 DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 ing the summer which followed, I returned my friend's 
 kindness, and took charge of his affairs while he enjoyed 
 a long vacation. I had made up my mind to resist, for 
 a while at least, all temptations, and therefore refused 
 my sister's repeated invitations for "just one week's 
 pleasure of my company." I was trying to determine if 
 the old maxim, " Out of sight, out of mind," held good 
 in my case, but thus far it had decidedly failed in doing 
 so. I had even accepted numerous invitations during 
 the winter just past, and had been introduced to many 
 beautiful and accomplished girls, rich in all the attrac- 
 tions that wealth, beauty, and knowledge bestow on 
 their happy possessors. Even while listening to their 
 soft voices, and catching the merry glances thrown on 
 me from their bright eyes, I would find myself compar- 
 ing with them, almost unconsciously, the slight form 
 and delicate features of the one so constantly in my 
 thoughts. Recollections of a voice whose tones were 
 still sweeter, and of eyes whose loveliness none could 
 equal, would come over me at all times and in all places, 
 filling my heart with hopeless longings for that which 
 was so impossible to attain. But for my professional 
 duties, which were at that time very much increased, 
 and their great responsibility, I do not know what 
 would have become of me. 
 
 3Ir. Masters and his wife did not leave the city that 
 sninmer, as Mr. Parker had suddenly reappeared in New 
 York, exciting their fears by his curiosity and watchful- 
 ness. He had given some plausible excuse for his long
 
 IN WHICH MKS. FERKIS MAKES A MOVE. 83 
 
 absence from his business, and professed complete igno- 
 rance of Mrs. Ferris's movements, after having placed her 
 and her daughter under the care of the captain on whose 
 ship they had sailed for Europe. He was very particu- 
 lar in examining all the papers and deeds connected with 
 his ward's property, and expressed himself in terms of 
 great satisfaction at. the result of some of Mr. Masters' 
 investments, complimenting him very highly on the 
 manner in which he was discharging his trust. His sur- 
 prise at the large sums asked for by Mrs. Ferris, for the 
 support of her daughter, was well affected, and quite 
 amused his suspicious partner, who was rapidly forming 
 a very unfavorable opinion of this joint guardian of Miss 
 Arabella Ferris. 
 
 In September Mr. Parker again left New York, and 
 my friend, Doctor Miller, for whom I had been doing 
 duty, returned to Buffalo. Another winter passed away, 
 during which Mrs. Ferris's letters continued in the same 
 strain, and my sister's became more and more extrava- 
 gant in their descriptions of the beauty and talents of 
 her interesting pupil. How little my sister guessed of 
 the fresh torture given me by every letter of hers that 
 I received ! How little she would have understood the 
 contradictory passions they stupcd.up within my heart ! 
 I exulted in the idea that my conception of Miss Ferris's 
 powers of mind had not been a mistaken one ; I gloried 
 in the thought that she had so totally overcome the dis- 
 advantages of her childhood, and was realizing all my 
 fondest hopes, and yet yes, it must be acknowledged,
 
 84: DK. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 I felt that the barrier between us was each day growing 
 wider and deeper. I must endeavor to subdue these 
 foolish fancies, and be content to see her, loving and be- 
 loved, the wife of some younger man, one more suited 
 to her age and temperament than I could ever hope to 
 become. I reasoned, or rather tried to reason, myself 
 into the bejief, that after a few yeafs I should be quite 
 willing to settle down into the position of a trusted 
 friend, respected and loved as such, with my chair at 
 the table and my place by the fireside, happy at the 
 sight of her happiness, and resigned to the conviction 
 that another, and not I, was the cause of her peace and 
 contentment. 
 
 Before another September came, I had almost made 
 up my mind that my feelings for Miss Ferris had as- 
 sumed this quiet, passionless state, and I concluded to 
 take a trip east and see my friends. As nearly two 
 years had gone by in the interval, I anticipated a very 
 warm reception, and determined not to tell them of my 
 expected visit, but to enjoy their pleased surprise. One 
 sultry afternoon, in the first week of October, I opened 
 the gate of my mother's pretty front garden, and saun- 
 tered up the pathway toward the window of the little 
 room in which she usu^ly sat at work. Looking in, 
 there she was, knitting a soft, white stocking, destined 
 for my next winter's comfort. My sister sat on a low 
 chair near her, sorting seeds into various little papers 
 laid on the carpet before her. I looked around the room 
 in vain for the other figure, which, I am afraid, generally
 
 IN WHICH MRS. FERRIS MAKES A MOVE. 85 
 
 occupied the chief place in the home pictures I was so 
 accustomed to forming in my imagination. Overcoming 
 the disappointment as quickly as possible, I raised my- 
 self by means of my hands to an old position of mine 
 on the window ledge quite a favorite one in my 
 boyish days and bade my mother and sister " Good- 
 afternoon." 
 
 The next minute their arms were around me, and be- 
 tween hugging and kissing I at length reached the floor 
 in safety, while they stood, breathless with surprise and 
 delight, looking at me. 
 
 " How well and handsome you are looking, John ! " 
 exclaimed my sister, pushing my hair away from my 
 forehead ; and then, as usual, throwing her arms around 
 my neck and leaning her head against my breast, with 
 tears of joy standing in her eyes. 
 
 My dear sister, she believed I was a hero and we 
 had not met for two long years. 
 
 " I shonld like to know when John didn't look hand- 
 some, the dear boy ! " my mother answered, giving me a 
 glance of mingled love and pride from the soft, clear 
 eyes that had always met mine thus lovingly. 
 
 " It's well I only let you see me at long intervals, or 
 you would spoil me. What would my patients say if 
 they should behold their dignified Doctor Wilmer being 
 hugged and kissed to such an extent, and hear him 
 called ' a der boy ' ? Consider my age thirty-six, am 
 I not, mother ? " 
 
 " Nonsense, John ! never mind your age ; " and my
 
 86 DR. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 mother kissed me again, calling me her own " dear, dear 
 boy, no matter how old I might be." 
 
 " John," said my sister, " all this time you have 
 never thought of asking after Belle." 
 
 Hadn't I, though, my dear, unsuspicious sister ? 
 
 " Where is she ? " I asked. 
 
 " Gone down to the village, to see one of her friends 
 who has been very ill for two weeks. She goes to sit 
 an hour or two with her every afternoon." 
 
 " I miss the child very much," remarked my 
 mother ; " but it is pleasant for her to know some nice 
 young people ; she would feel it very much if deprived 
 of their society." 
 
 " Why should she be deprived of their society ? " I 
 asked. 
 
 " Well, there really seems to be no reason why she 
 should not enjoy their little parties and gatherings ; but 
 you know how it is Mr. Masters is so afraid of her be- 
 ing recognized, that we have to be very careful about 
 where she goes, and with whom she meets." 
 
 " Mr. Masters is perfectly right," I said. " The con- 
 sequences would be dreadful ; in another year she can 
 go where and meet whom she likes." 
 
 " She is not remarkably fond of society," my sister 
 said, "and when she took a fancy to Pauline Lecount I 
 was delighted. Pauline is so very bright and gay, she 
 infects every one that comes under her influence with 
 some of her own lightheartedness." 
 
 " Is she the only child in the family ? " I asked.
 
 IN WHICH MKS. FEBEI8 MAKES A MOVE. 87 
 
 " Oh, not at all ; there is an immense family of them, 
 any number of brothers and sisters. I believe a new 
 one turns up every week or so, that has been spending 
 a year with some relative or another ; and these relatives 
 appear to live in every State of the Union." 
 
 " Quite a family they must be," I said ; " does Miss 
 Ferris only fancy one of them ? " 
 
 " Oh, she likes them all more or less ; but Pauline is 
 decidedly the favored one of the lot. They are of French 
 descent, and I suspect their means are rather limited. 
 Mr. Lecount is a lawyer, and one of his sons is in the 
 office with him. They are very talented and sociable, 
 and cultivate such pleasant home amusements ! I often 
 wish they were rich; for as it is, they are very hos- 
 pitable, and every one likes to visit at their house." 
 
 " Yes," went on my mother, taking up the subject 
 where my sister dropped it. " Belle told me last night 
 that there was another brother home on a visit that she 
 never saw before. He practises law in Philadelphia, 
 and very seldom has an opportunity of seeing his 
 family. It must be a very pleasant thing," mused my 
 mother, "to own such a fine set of children, all out in 
 the world doing for themselves, and still coming back 
 every now and then for a sight of the old home and 
 their parents. Now the girls might all help, there 
 are four of them, but the old folks are too proud to 
 let them try. I wanted one of them to teach Belle 
 French, but when I spoke of payment, the old lady 
 blazed up, and said that she was willing to have Belle
 
 88 DR. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 join them in their French readings, and conversations, 
 but ' Do it for money ? oh ! no ; it was hard enough 
 for her sons to have to work, the girls were ladies, 
 and no matter how poor they might become, ladies they 
 should remain.' I pity their old aristocratic ideas in 
 this republican country. Of course, the girls expect 
 to marry well, and BO they ought, handsome and accom- 
 plished as they are ; but suppose they don't, what will 
 become of them? The young men will marry, and 
 although Mr. Lecount owns his place, what would it 
 be, divided among so many ? Veiy foolish, very foolish 
 of them indeed ! " concluded my sensible republican 
 mother. 
 
 While she had been giving vent to her opinions of 
 the Lecounts, I had retaken possession of the window- 
 seat, and, although listening to her words, had been 
 watching with interest two persons coming along the 
 road toward the house. One was a young man of 
 twenty-five or six, tall and well-proportioned, with an 
 easy, graceful carriage, and glossy black curls, shaking 
 and shining under the broad-brimmed, low-crowned hat 
 that he wore. He was pulling a rose to pieces, leaf by 
 leaf, while talking earnestly to the young girl walking 
 at his side. This young girl's face was concealed from 
 my view by the broad leaf of her straw hat, the crown 
 of which was ornamented with natural flowers, evident- 
 ly picked from the basket half full of them that she 
 carried on her arm. She had on a soft, full, white mus- 
 lin dress, ornamented at the neck, waist, and wrists by
 
 ix wmcn MRS. FEEKIS MAKES A MOVE. 89 
 
 knots and ends of lilac ribbon. It was looped up over 
 a shorter under-skirt with more ribbons of the same 
 delicate shade, displaying two very pretty little feet, 
 cased in the most elaborately trimmed boots that I had 
 ever seen. To my surprise, they stopped at the gate, 
 and, while he opened it, she invited him. to enter the 
 house and be introduced to Mrs. and Miss Wilmer. I 
 recognized the clear, sweet voice at once; this pretty 
 vision, then, coming tripping up the path, was no other 
 than my once wearied little patient, so tired of life and 
 all its miseries ! At present, the bright side was turned 
 to her, tinged with its fairest coloring. She was much 
 taller, and her figure had become round and graceful in 
 the two years that had passed since I left her, leaning 
 over the gate with tears in her eyes, watching our de- 
 parture. She stopped in the path to point out a car- 
 nation pink to her companion, and my sister,, catching 
 sight of her, remarked : 
 
 " There is Belle now, and that must be the brother 
 from Philadelphia ; I have not seen him since he was a 
 schoolboy. Shall I tell her that you are here ? " 
 
 " No, don't," said my mother ; " let us see how she 
 will behave. Latterly, she has hardly mentioned you 
 to us ; either your continued absence has offended her, 
 or else she has gradually lost her interest in you. The 
 first year she was with us she talked of you incessantly, 
 and longed to see you every week as impatiently as a child 
 of six years would; indeed, though she is nineteen now, 
 I don't know any child more innocent and impulsive."
 
 90 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 " That poor young fellow seems entirely fascinated," 
 said, my sister, turning from the window ; " I only hope 
 lie won't put her down for a perfect little flirt." 
 
 "Why should he?" 
 
 " Why ? Simply because she is so childish, that she 
 is pleased with every one she meets, takes their atten- 
 tions, becomes interested in them, and tries to make 
 them as happy as possible. Claude Lecount has lost his 
 heart to her, and she thinks no more of him than of 
 any of his brothers. As for teaching her prudence, it is 
 out of the question. Mr. Masters thinks her perfection, 
 and begs of us not to let her understand the world and 
 its ways. Of course, to us, who know all the circum- 
 stances, her manner is not unreasonable or unnatural ; 
 but could you convince a young man, brought up in a 
 large city like New York, that a young girl could reach 
 the age of nineteen, in this century, and remain so 
 innocent as she is? Certainly not; those two broth- 
 ers will be at daggers' points about her in a week, 
 and will mutually agree in the end that she is a fin- 
 ished flirt." 
 
 My sister's prophecy was suddenly cut short by 
 hearing the hall door open, and the next moment Miss 
 Ferris stood on the threshold, ushering in Mr. Louis 
 Lecount. She did not see me at first, as I sat on the 
 window-seat ; and while introducing her escort in her 
 pretty, original style "Mrs. Wilmer, this is Pauline's 
 brother Louis " she removed her hat, thereby display- 
 ing her bright eyes, and a mass of curls shading them
 
 IN* WHICH MRS. FEKKIS MAKES A MOVE. 91 
 
 and her throat. Crossing the room to hang up her 
 basket, she suddenly saw me. For a second she stood 
 pale and mute with surprise ; the next, she had her arms 
 round my neck, laughing and crying for joy. 
 
 Mr. Louis Lecount looked rather astonished, while my 
 sister tried to explain what great friends we were, and 
 how we had not met for two years. The young gentleman 
 rose after a few minutes, and took his leave, promising 
 to call again. I quite admired his good taste, particu- 
 larly as Miss Ferris had become almost unconscious of 
 his presence in the room, and was sitting near me, with 
 beaming eyes, pouring out question after question rela- 
 ting to the circumstances which had prevented me from 
 coming home for such a " long, long time." 
 
 I found it difficult to make excuses for my absence, it 
 being impossible to tell her the real one ; and sitting 
 thus, looking into her clear, truthful eyes, and listening 
 to her sweet voice as she met and put aside, as utterly 
 ridiculous, my best arguments, I felt that my good reso- 
 lutions had all vanished, and that, instead of having 
 overcome my foolish love, it was mastering me more 
 strongly than ever. I determined to shorten my visit ; 
 it would be misery to see her happy in the attentions of 
 these two young men, one of whom would probably 
 succeed in gaining her 'heart. If I were older, I might 
 be enabled to view it all witli the best wishes for her 
 happiness, and without a regret for my own disappoint- 
 ment ; if I were younger, I might enter the lists as a rival 
 of these two attractive admirers. As it was, my cause
 
 92 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 was hopeless. Would she have run into my arms, every 
 feature lit up with joy and affection, had she regarded 
 me otherwise than as a dear friend, holding to her the 
 place of an uncle or an elder brother, who could ^appre- 
 ciate these marks of love without placing too high a 
 value on them, or in any way misunderstanding them? 
 Decidedly, her feeling for me was the same as it ever had 
 been enthusiastic, demonstrative, unconcealed ; but it 
 did not satisfy me. Its very exhibition only caused me to 
 draw comparisons between it and the expression of that 
 deeper sentiment for which I longed in vain. Thus, 
 while she exerted herself to make me happy, and talked 
 unreservedly of the progress she had made in all her 
 studies, and of the heavy debt of gratitude she owed me, 
 she unconsciously added to the weight of bitterness that 
 was overpowering me. 
 
 "We had wandered into the parlor, where her books 
 and music were scattered about ; and my sister was busy 
 preparing supper in the other room. Miss Ferris drew 
 my attention to a stand of exquisite flowers in one of 
 the windows. Turning to make a remark about them, I 
 was surprised to find her leaning against the wall, with 
 her face hidden from me. Something dejected and 
 strange in her attitude struck me, and I bent to catch a 
 glimpse of her face. She was crying silently, in the old 
 way that I had so often noticed at Niagara. 
 
 " What is the matter, Belle," I asked ; " what troubles 
 you ? " 
 
 " I can't tell ; I am silly, but you are so changed, so
 
 m WHICH MES. FEBKIS MAKES A MOVE. 93 
 
 cold and distant did I offend you ? " As she spoke, she 
 put her little hand on my arm, and looked in my face 
 with the old sorrowful expression in her eyes. 
 
 What was I to do ? put aside all ideas of honor tell 
 her how I loved her and accept from her deep gratitude 
 the assent not prompted by her heart ? No, better she 
 should think me cold and indifferent, than that such a 
 sacrifice should be made; better be misjudged, than 
 cause her any future unhappiness. So I only took her 
 hand softly in mine, and assured her that she had not 
 offended me in the least, and that she must make a little 
 allowance for my surprise at finding so much alteration 
 in herself. 
 
 " You have grown into a young lady," I went on in 
 a jesting tone, though I had never felt more sad in my 
 life, " and I left you quite a child ; are you sure you are 
 quite strong now and happy ? " 
 
 " Yes, very strong ; my head never troubles me, and 
 I am so happy that sometimes I tremble lest it should 
 not last. Every time I see my dear guardian I feel more 
 and more what it would be to have my step-mother dis- 
 cover me. I would rather die than go back to her treat- 
 ment. Do you know that I count the days as they go 
 by, and time flies too slowly for me ! There are ten 
 months yet to come before I can feel free and at ease." 
 
 " But you are safe here ; certainly out of danger of 
 any recognition by your old friends and acquaintances. 
 This is such a quiet place, people never come here for 
 either business or pleasure."
 
 94: DK. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 " Very few, but still one would "be sufficient, provided 
 that one was a friend of ours. It would all be done in- 
 nocently, because nobody knows what you do. All our 
 acquaintances thought that Mrs. Ferris was ' passionate- 
 ly attached to her little daughter.' How often have I 
 heard that expression, while standing or sitting in the 
 room with company ! It always made me shiver, and 
 once I had an indistinct idea that 'passionately at- 
 tached' was only a fine expression for 'hate' indeed 
 I had." 
 
 " And what idea have you about it now ? " I asked. 
 
 " I don't like the expression at all ; it always meant 
 so little to me, that even now, when Pauline Lecount 
 tells me that she is passionately attached to this or that 
 person, I can't feel that she cares for them at all." 
 
 "And is she 'passionately attached' to you?" I 
 asked. 
 
 Miss Ferris smiled, and colored slightly. 
 
 " Yes," she answered, " that is what she says, and 
 she told me last evening, as a great secret, that her 
 brother Claude was " 
 
 " Was also passionately attached to you is it not 
 so?" 
 
 I expected another blush, but, instead of coloring or 
 looking down, Miss Ferris raised her eyes to my face, 
 and clasped her hands on my arm. 
 
 "You know it don't mean any thing, and if you are 
 sure that you are not angry with me, I will tell you just 
 what I think.' ;
 
 IN WHICH MKS. FEKEIS MAKES A MOVE. 95 
 
 I shook my head at her, and she went on in her old 
 childish way, smiling and sighing in turn, as her heart 
 prompted her. 
 
 " I like Pauline, and I like your sister and mother, and 
 I am very sure that I like my dear guardian and Mrs. 
 Masters ; how can I help loving them ? think of all I 
 owe them, all they have done for my happiness and as 
 for you, I can't tell you how I feel toward you. Noth- 
 ing I could do or say would repay you for all the care 
 you have ta^en of me. All I can do is, feel your good- 
 ness, and think of you alway. Do you know that I can 
 sit quiet and see before me, just like a 'series of pictures, 
 every thing that has happened since I first saw you the 
 night my father died? You don't know how I have 
 longed for you to talk to in these last two years ; I had 
 ever so many questions, written out, that I' wanted you 
 to answer. I always feel that I can be as childish as I 
 like with you, and say just what conies into my head 
 first. You will not misunderstand me, I am sure." 
 
 " No, never," I said gently, longing, as I looked at her, 
 to stroke the soft curls that fell on her neck. No wonder 
 she thought me c<tfd and strange ; I was struggling to 
 overcome myself, and no doubt, in the effort, became 
 ten times sterner and more silent than I intended. 
 
 "About Claude Lecount," she continued "how 
 could he care for me ? I never did any thing for him 
 except to sing a song, or play a piece that he likes ; and 
 all he ever did for me was to give me a few flowers out 
 of the garden, to trim my hat with. He is very pleas-
 
 96 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 ant, and as kind to his sister as he can be, and I like him 
 for that, wouldn't you ? " 
 
 "Decidedly I would," I replied, looking down at the 
 earnest eyes. 
 
 "ClaudS 'is going to New York soon," she went on, 
 slowly rolling and unrolling her sash as she spoke, " and 
 Victor, the youngest brother, will go into his father's 
 office in Claude's place. I believe all the sons are law- 
 yers ; they study with their father, and then settle in 
 some other place to practise their profession. I think 
 that is a very good plan. Mr. Lecount jokes about it, 
 and says that it is the reason why they are all such 
 good friends with each other. I think, if I had a brother 
 or a sister, I should never wish to part from them at all." 
 
 "And yet, Belle, I live far away from my mother 
 and only sister, not because we could not agree togeth- 
 er, but because circumstances have rendered it neces- 
 sary. A large family, like your friends the Lecounts, 
 could hardly find enough to do in a little dull village' 
 like this. You will miss Claude very much, will you not ? " 
 
 " No, not much, I have so many things to occupy my 
 time; and then he says he will be ab_le to run up every 
 Saturday night, and spend Sunday at home." 
 
 " And his brother that was here, just now ? " 
 
 " Oh ! I never saw him until yesterday ; he very 
 seldom comes home, he has so much to attend to in 
 Philadelphia. " 
 
 " Have they ever showed any curiosity about you ? " 
 I asked.
 
 IN WHICH MRS. FERRIS MAKES A MOVE. 97 
 
 "They never ask ine any questions. Miss "Wllmer, 
 when she introduced me to them, told them that I was 
 an orphan under Mr. Masters' guardianship, and they 
 have never tried to discover any thing about me they 
 are too polite. I wonder what they would, think It they 
 knew all ? " The poor child blushed painfully and trem 
 bled visibly. Was it possible, I thought, that, in spite of 
 her silence and gayety, the past with all its misery was 
 weighing on her heart ? 
 
 " You must not think of those things," I said gently ; 
 " look upon all those past troubles as trials sent to you 
 for your own future good ; there is no .shame attached to 
 your part in them, and you must never allow yourself 
 to fret for what was inevitable. Some day you will see 
 why you were tried, and never cease to acknowledge 
 the great blessings you enjoy at present, and the great 
 field for doing good that your wealth and position will 
 throw open to you in the future." 
 
 "And do you think I ever will be able to be of use 
 in the world ? At present I am more like a wax flower 
 under glass than any thing else. Mrs. Masters frets if 
 I get my feet damp, and Mr. Masters watches me as if 
 he feared every breeze would cifrry me off." 
 
 "Mr. Masters has taken & great responsibility on 
 himself, and I can't blame him for being over-careful 
 of you." 
 
 " John, here are Mr. and 'Mrs. Masters coming up 
 the road ! " cried my sister at the door. 
 
 Away flew Miss Ferris out of the house and down 
 5
 
 98 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 the garden path. I followed leisurely, and found Mr. 
 Masters breathless from the embrace she had given him, 
 and Mrs. Masters undergoing a like greeting. Mr. 
 Masters nearly shook my hand off, and, in the midst of 
 declarations and exclamations of delight, informed me 
 that I always arrived at the right time, and that he had 
 the most wonderful piece of news to tell us. 
 
 " But, I won't say a word until after tea, and then, 
 when we are all together, you shall have it. It will take 
 more breath than I am possessed of at present, owing 
 to the hill and this saucy young lady on my arm." The 
 " saucy young lady " pulled his face down and gave 
 him another kiss and a merry smile. It was a pleasant 
 sight to witness the happy confidence existing between 
 the old couple and their bright little ward. 
 
 Tea over, we waited patiently for the " wonderful 
 news," and Mr. Masters, having taken from his pocket a 
 large European letter, laid it before him on the table 
 and. introduced its contents, thus : 
 
 " N"ow, Miss Ferris, here is a letter, full of long 
 expressions of grief and trouble, which announces 
 your death and funeral, and even a model, in pen and 
 ink, of your .grave and tombstone, with the inscrip- 
 tion complete. What do you think of that, little 
 Belle ? " and he kissed her gently, for her face had 
 become suddenly grave with surprise and fear at the 
 words. 
 
 "Well, what will that woman undertake next?" 
 asked my mother, recovering first from her surprise. 

 
 IN WHICH MES. FERKIS MAKES A MOVE. 99 
 
 "Whereupon Mr. Masters opened the letter, and gave 
 it to us at full length. After a minute account, in the 
 most high-flown laiiguage, of all she had done to benefit 
 her dear child's health, she gave a history of her last 
 hours and death, which she described as having been 
 most touchingly serene and happy. She also enclosed a 
 copy of 'the doctor's certificate of death, and all the 
 bills incidental to the mournful event, which was sup- 
 posed to have taken place in Florence. In conclusion, 
 she begged Mr. Masters to communicate the tidings 
 to Mr. Parker; as she had found it impossible, in the 
 state of grief she was in, to write any more on- the sub- 
 ject. She also trusted the charge of every thing to them, 
 knowing that they would do right by her in her deso- 
 late condition ; and, as she intended remaining abroad 
 until her health should be entirely reestablished, she 
 hoped they would communicate with her frequently, 
 and let her understand, as far as she was able to do so, 
 how her affairs were managed. Mr. Masters laughed 
 heartily at the concluding injunction. 
 
 " I should like to know what part of the manage- 
 ment of her affairs she couldn't comprehend. Why, she 
 can tell you to a fraction what her interest should be, 
 and as for making investments, she is as sharp as a 
 needle in that line." 
 
 " Where is Mr. Parker at present ? " I asked. 
 
 " In New Tork, of course. I need not tell you how 
 astounded he was at my news, but you will be amused 
 when I inform you that, feeling deeply for Mrs. Ferris.
 
 100 DE. TVTLMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 and the loneliness of her position, he is making prepara- 
 tions to join her in her retirement at Florence ; the 
 ostensible reason for the trip being, the necessity of 
 setting before her and explaining to her the exact state 
 of her late husband's affairs. Of course, I appreciate the 
 great necessity of the voyage, and I have no doubt but 
 that we shall receive wedding-cards before six months 
 are over." 
 
 " I do believe that this affair has taken ten years off 
 Mr. Masters' age," remarked his wife, with a bright 
 smile on her face. "Before it happened, he was always 
 complaining ; now there is nothing too difficult for him 
 to undertake, and he is as active and bright as I ever 
 remember him." 
 
 " Well, little one, what do you think of it all ? " Mr. 
 Masters asked, turning to Miss Ferris. 
 
 She had been sitting, listening attentively to his 
 story, her eyes raised to his face ; now she colored and 
 looked down. 
 
 "What do I think?" she repeated; "I think that, 
 only for Doctor Wilmer, part of that letter might be true. 
 When he first met me at Niagara, I should have wel- 
 comed death gladly in any shape, as a blessed release. 
 He is the only one here who can realize the truth of 
 what I say; he knows what I was suffering, and how 
 his kind words and anxious care alone gave me the 
 courage to wish to live." 
 
 "My dear child, don't think of that time, if it makes 
 you nervous," Mrs. Masters said, softly, putting her arms
 
 IX WHICH MRS. FEKEI3 MAKES A MOVE. 101 
 
 round the trembling girl. " Come with me, and show 
 me those wonderful orange-blossoms that you have 
 written so much about ; I don't know when I saw any 
 growing on the tree." 
 
 " They are curiosities, and quite a credit to Belle, I 
 can assure you," my sister said, rising and following the 
 other ladies into the adjoining room. 
 
 " I am sorry I said any thing about that letter before 
 Belle," Mr. Masters remarked, turning to me, "but I 
 had no idea that it would have such an effect on her. 
 How very nervous she is ! the least allusion to those old 
 troubles seems to recall them to her so vividly." 
 
 "It would be much better not to refer to them 
 at all before her," I answered. " Seeing me was suf- 
 ficient novelty for one day, and, for some years at least 
 to come, any over-excitement will have a very bad 
 effect upon her. I dread the idea of a meeting be- 
 tween her and Mrs. Ferris, although I suppose it will 
 be necessary." 
 
 " Yes, for this reason Mrs. Ferris enclosed an obit- 
 uary notice for me to send to the different morning 
 papers. Of course, I don't intend helping her scheme 
 by doing any thing of the kind ; but as soon as she is 
 able, if she has not done so already, she will write to 
 her friends in New York a full account of this imaginary 
 affair ; and as I can't attempt to contradict it for ten 
 months, it will of course be fully credited, and all the 
 acquaintances she ever had will have time to hear the 
 report, talk it ovei', and make it an established fact in
 
 102 DK. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 their minds. The only thing to be done is jnst to invite 
 all these people to the house as soon after Belle comes 
 of age as possible, and contrive a meeting between the 
 two ; otherwise I shall have difficult work to establish 
 her identity. You see, I couldn't prove it, I had not 
 seen her in six years ; and no doubt they have laid their 
 plans so as to be ready for any movement that I might 
 make against this fabrication. Your testimony and my 
 own recollection of the child are all I have to work 
 upon. "We must attempt strategy; and if Mrs. lYrri.s 
 in her surprise should prove our assertion true, why, the 
 whole affair would be settled I am pretty sure she 
 would retire from the field without a word, quite 
 satisfied if we did not prosecute her for her actions, 
 although I think such a case*would stand alone in the 
 records of crime." 
 
 " They would have to frame new laws of punishment 
 to meet it," I replied. " But if we only succeed in es- 
 tablishing Miss Ferris's identity, and restoring her to 
 her proper position in perfect health, I believe we can 
 be satisfied to leave Mrs. Ferris in the hands of a higher 
 power. Such people don't die without their sins com- 
 ing home to them in some form, even if the retribution 
 is unknown to any but themselves." 
 
 " You are right, Doctor Wilmer, quite right ; 
 though I have felt a strong desire to retaliate on that 
 woman some of the misery that she made my poor 
 friend's child undergo. However, as you say, ten 
 months from now we can turn round and laugh at her ;
 
 IN "WHICH MRS. FEBEIS MAKES A MOTE. 103 
 
 and if she has any conscience which is an open ques- 
 tion we will leave her to its mercy." 
 , Having shaken hands over our agreement, the honest 
 old gentleman lit his evening cigar and strolled out on 
 the lawn to enjoy it, while I rejoined the ladies in the 
 parlor.
 
 CHAPTER V. 
 
 IK" WHICH I MEET A RIVAL. 
 
 I FOUND that the two brothers, Louis and Claude 
 Lecount, had arrived, and were using all the arguments 
 in their power to induce my sister to allow Miss Ferris 
 to join a large picnic which was to come off the ensu- 
 ing week. While Mr. Louis sat near her, enlarging on 
 the beauties of the proposed ^picnic ground, and the 
 very agreeable company invited, Mr. Claude leaned 
 over the piano and explained his wishes to Miss Ferris, 
 who sat trifling with some music and listening atten- 
 tively, with sparkling eyes raised to his face. Having 
 gone through an introduction to Mr. Claude, I took a 
 chair near Mrs. Masters, and, while hearing the dis- 
 cussion, surveyed my supposed rival. 
 
 He was taller and handsomer than his brother ; more 
 graceful, if that were possible, and possessed that easy 
 elegance of manner, that faculty of always knowing ex- 
 actly what to say or do at the right moment, which, 
 some people declare, springs from self-conceit and pride, 
 but which, I think, is inborn and belongs to certain per-
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A EIVAL. 105 
 
 sons naturally. At least, I have known many to spend 
 their lives trying to acquire it, while the envied pos- 
 sessors of it remained unconscious of their rich gift. 
 However that may be, Mr. Claude Lecount was very 
 much at home in my mother's house, and appeared to 
 be on terms of the closest friendship with Miss Ferris. 
 Occasionally she would throw me a bright glance, which 
 I observed him follow with surprise ; and when at last, 
 driven from want of further excuses to appeal to me, 
 my sister turned and asked me to decide the question, 
 he put down the music he was holding, and regarded 
 me with a look in which curiosity and dislike were 
 largely blended. 
 
 "I don't think it would be quite sensible," I an- 
 swered. Of course it was a new idea to them, the re- 
 fusing such a pleasure to a young girl ; and knowing 
 that it would be impossible to explain the motives con- 
 trolling us, I made every allowance for their evident 
 disappointment and wounded feelings. 
 
 " Miss Belle is anxious to go, and my sisters have 
 made /all the arrangements. If you are afraid of her 
 taking cold, Miss Wilmer, I don't think there can be 
 any danger. Pauline is going-, and of course will start 
 for home before it becomes damp, and Miss Belle is to 
 rido in the carriage with her." 
 
 Mr. Claude Lecount said this with an assured man- 
 ner, as though it was quite conclusive. Belle twisted 
 her pretty hands together and looked toward my sister. 
 
 " Some friends of ours, the Barrows, are coming up 
 5*
 
 106 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 for it," broke in Mr. Louis. I noticed Miss Ferris trem- 
 ble, and look at me appealingly. 
 
 " What ' Barrows ' are they ? " I inquired, with a 
 quiet gesture, imposing silence on her. 
 
 " They live in Sixteenth Street, in New York ; Mr. 
 Barrow is a lawyer, and his sous are with him. Are 
 you acquainted with them ? " 
 
 " No, I am not," I replied ; but I could see that Miss 
 Ferris was. 
 
 " They are such nice people," Mr. Louis went on, 
 " some of mother's oldest friends, and she has not seen 
 them in years. We expect a great deal of pleasure 
 from their visit, and mother wished very much to make 
 them acquainted with Miss Belle. Miss Barrow will be 
 married next month, and the girls are going down to 
 the wedding." 
 
 " Can't you alter the decision ? " asked Mr. Claude, 
 turning to Miss Ferris, and speaking in an undertone. 
 
 " Doctor Wilmer knows best, and I always do as he 
 says," was the clear, innocent answer. 
 
 The two brothers looked at me, and my sister, rising 
 hastily, proposed some music. Mrs. Masters, who had 
 not taken part in the question, joined in the request ; 
 and so Miss Ferris sang some solos, and then some 
 duets, in a clear, sweet voice, which harmonized per- 
 fectly with Mr. Claude's full tenor. I cannot tell 
 whether admiration or jealousy rose strongest within 
 me I fear the latter. When at last the gentlemen 
 took their leave, I was in such a state of torture that I
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A RIVAL. 107 
 
 could hardly command my voice sufficiently to answer 
 Mr. Masters' remarks on Belle's wonderful love and 
 talent for music. 
 
 The next morning, when I rose, I heard the birdlike 
 tones coming to me from the parlor directly under my 
 room, where she was practising. Some of the words 
 were distinct, and it stmck me at the time that she 
 sang them with a great deal of expression for one so 
 young. It was Franz Abt's exquisite melody, " When 
 the Swallows Homeward Fly," then new to me, but 
 since become my favorite song. The words, 
 
 " Hush my heart, why thus complain ? 
 Thou must too thy woes contain," 
 
 found an answering echo in my heart. After all my 
 struggles and decisions, I came to the conclusion that 
 they had been of no avail. One evening in her com- 
 pany had scattered them all like straws before the 
 wind, and I was as far from peace as ever. I deter- 
 mined to go on to New York, spend some time there 
 seeking distraction in its amusements, and then return 
 to Buffalo, without trusting myself to another visit 
 home. Having come to this heroic resolve, I went 
 down-stairs, and met Miss Ferris in the hall with her 
 hat on her head and a basket and scissors in her hand, 
 about going to cut fresh flowers for the vases. She ex- 
 claimed, with delight in every feature of her face, that 
 I must go with her and carry the basket. Half way 
 down the walk she caught my arm, and, looking very 
 grave, asked
 
 108 DB. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 " What am I to do if the Barrows come here and 
 stop at Mrs. Lecount's ? They were very intimate with 
 Mrs. Ferris, and she exhibited ine to them as if I were 
 a wild animal the day before she took me to that 
 asylum. They would be sure to recognize me ; and 
 even my name, if they hear it, will excite their cu- 
 riosity." 
 
 " It is to be hoped that something will detain them 
 in New York for the next ten months ; but in case the*y 
 do arrive, you must stay in-doors and refuse yourself to 
 all visitors. Taking you away for a week, unless it 
 might be down to the city, would be almost as dan- 
 gerous as remaining here ; there are so many returning 
 now from the watering-places, the cars and the boats are 
 all crowded. We must consult Mr. Masters. Does he 
 know this family ? " 
 
 " That I cannot tell, perhaps not ; I don't remember 
 seeing them in the house before papa's death. I think 
 they belong to Mrs. Ferris' set altogether." 
 
 It turned out that Mr. Masters had never seen one 
 of the Barrows, and only knew them by reputation. 
 They were probably just as ignorant of his existence ; 
 so we concluded to remain at home, and trust that no 
 recognition might occur. That afternoon Miss Ferris 
 went to spend a few hours with her friend, and Mr. 
 Masters and I took a long ride in the country, leav- 
 ing the three ladies to a social conversation over their 
 knitting. On returning we found an urgent invitation 
 to spend the evening at Mr. Lecount's ; so, after tea, to
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A BTVAL. 109 
 
 which Miss Ferris did not return, we strolled down there 
 in the twilight. 
 
 The house was one of the oldest in the county, and 
 built of stone, strong and substantial enough in material 
 and extent, but with an aspect of decay hanging around 
 it, most observable in the out-houses, which, though very 
 picturesque, hinted at limited means. The garden trees 
 were overgrown, and their branches joined above the 
 path, rendering it quite dark on leaving the open road. 
 The grass was rank on the lawn, the flower-beds so 
 overspread by weeds and tangled vines as to make the 
 plants in them undistinguishable. I had leisure to note 
 these things as we picked our steps slowly over the 
 neglected pathway, and reached at last a long, low 
 piazza, half hidden by a trellis, which was entirely cov- 
 ered with luxuriant vines of various kinds. As we ap- 
 proached, voices were audible ; and as we crossed the 
 piazza the fluttering of her white dress drew our atten- 
 tion to Miss Ferris seated on a rustic bench, listening to 
 the low tones of Mr. Claude Lecount, w T ho leaned against 
 the lattice-work. Some rays from the fast-declining sun 
 had penetrated the thick foliage, and were darting about 
 her head and face, bringing out the rich coloring of her 
 hair, and making it shine like threads of gold. 
 
 She rose hastily to meet us with an exclamation of 
 pleasure on her lips. I thought her companion hardly 
 liked the interruption. However, he smoothed his fore- 
 head and came forward, welcoming us most gracefully. 
 The parlor, which we entered through the low windows
 
 110 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 opening on the piazza, was a large, square room, filled 
 with massive old-fashioned furniture, placed in such a 
 way as to form little nooks and corners, where two or 
 three persons could sit and converse quite independent 
 of other groups near them. At the far end of it such a 
 little group was gathered round a table, on which a very 
 brilliant lamp was burning. They put aside their vari- 
 ous employments as we entered, and rose to receive us. 
 
 Mrs. Lecount was a tall, elegant woman, from whom, 
 without a' doubt, the sons had inherited their singular 
 beauty and grace. Miss Pauline had resumed her reclin- 
 ing attitude on the sofa with a deep sigh, as if exhaust- 
 ed by the effort she had made in rising ; and while an- 
 swering the various questions concerning her health put 
 to her by my anxious mother and sister, I could perceive 
 the close scrutiny with which she regarded us all in 
 turn. 
 
 She was a most beautiful brunette, with bands of 
 shining black hair framing her face, and large almond- 
 shaped eyes, which appeared to darken and lighten ac- 
 cording to the varied feelings she was experiencing. 
 That Miss Ferris admired her was most certain; she 
 took her accustomed seat, a low chair, near her friend's 
 sofa, and listened attentively to the conversation that 
 followed. 
 
 As I anticipated, they commenced with the picnic. 
 As we had no good reasons with which to meet their 
 combined arguments, I could not wonder at the per- 
 plexed glances thrown at me from all sides, paiticularly
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A EIVAI, 111 
 
 from Miss Pauline's searching eyes, when, as on the 
 previous occasion, Miss Ferris again left the decision 
 to me. 
 
 During the remainder of the evening I found myself 
 an object of great interest to that young lady. She 
 was evidently trying to place me with regard to Miss 
 Ferris, and felt rather puzzled as to the right I possessed 
 of controlling the latter's actions. Once the picnic 
 subject was dropped, I became silent, and, leaning back 
 in my corner of the sofa, amused myself contemplating 
 the others in the party, and trying to make sense of the 
 various scraps of conversation that reached me. An- 
 other lady, Miss Marie Lecount, whom I judged to be 
 the eldest daughter, now joined the circle, and com- 
 menced an animated discussion on zephyr wool, double 
 and single, with my sister. Mrs. Lecount and my 
 mother were deep in the mysteries of household econo- 
 my, and I could easily observe how Miss Pauline was 
 working her plans. Mr. Ltcount, a tall old gentleman, 
 with white hair and a kindly manner, was talking 
 politics with Mr. Masters and his son Louis. 
 
 Thus the young people were left to themselves, with 
 only Miss Pauline, as it were, tQ make up the pleasant 
 little group of three. Miss Ferris, from her low seat by 
 the sofa, could pay attention to her friend, and at the 
 same time hear every word addressed to her by Mr. 
 Claude, who occupied the other corner of his sister's 
 sofa. Mr. Louis at last made a diversion in the room, 
 by taking up a flute and proposing some music. Jlis
 
 112 DB. WELMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 brother escorted Miss Ferris to the piano and turned 
 over her music while she accompanied him in a very 
 pretty duet. 
 
 I was listening to it attentively, when a touch from 
 Miss Pauline's fan drew my attention. 
 
 " Excuse my seeming rudeness, Doctor Wilmer, but 
 I have been quite ill, and am only now commencing to 
 go about again." 
 
 She had changed her seat for one quite close to me, 
 and was gazing earnestly into my face. I answered 
 her, saying, that Miss Ferris had told me about her, and 
 that I had not expected to meet her. 
 
 " I had heard so much about you from Belle, I could 
 not resist the temptation of coming down to see you. I 
 believe you have known her a long time, and she speaks 
 of you with such enthusiasm ! " 
 
 " I remember her since she was quite a little girl," 
 I replied. 
 
 " She seems to regard yorp somewhat as a guardian, 
 or elder brother. Poor little dear ! to think she is an 
 orphan, with neither brother nor sister ; how sad it ap- 
 pears to me, for I am surrounded by near relatives." 
 
 " You have great reasons to feel thankful," I an- 
 swered ; " Miss Ferris' position is a strange, and I hope 
 an uncommon one. However, she is not unhappy, and 
 I think she possesses talents which will in a great 
 measure make up to her for the want of relations." 
 
 " I never saw any one so passionately fond of 
 flowers ; she and Claude never tire of taking care of
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A EIVAL. 113 
 
 them, and as for music, their tastes in it agree per- 
 fectly." 
 
 I fell into a fit of musing after this last speech. It 
 occurred to me that I too was a great admirer of flowers 
 and music. Before going to college, I had always taken 
 care of my mother's flower-garden. I had planted and 
 watered it, and visions of numberless slips that I had 
 set out, great geraniums and oleanders that I had 
 transplanted, and wreathing clematis and woodbine 
 that I had trained over the windows and porches, rose 
 before my eyes. Then, too, had I not played the organ 
 and led the choir in the village church ; and had not 
 more than one of the congregation remarked on the 
 sweetness of my voice, and the clearness of my touch? 
 Looking back, it seemed as though another, and not I, 
 had been the actor in those scenes. The busy years of 
 college-life, and the sharp struggles which succeeded 
 them in the race for reputation and fortune, had almost 
 blotted from my memory the recollections of the dear 
 old days of home and boyhood. Would Mr. Claude 
 Lecount, twelve years hence, after battling with the 
 world and its corroding influences, be as fond of these 
 innocent amusements as he was at present, particularly 
 when pursued in the society of a beautiful, artless girl, 
 whose every impulse was instantly visible in the clear, 
 confiding eyes, and unaffected manner? I doubted the 
 fact ; Mr. Claude Lecount was only human. Very few 
 men come out of the conflict with feelings as fresh, with 
 hearts as generous and open, and confidence in their
 
 114: DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 fellow-beings as strong as when they enter the arena 
 of life. And yet Mr. Claude was displaying great 
 wisdom, for surely if there is any earthly power which 
 tends more than another to make a man retain his trust 
 in human nature, it is the love and companionship of a 
 true woman, whether she be his wife, his mother, his 
 sister, or only a tried friend. Therefore I did not blame 
 Mr. Claude for discovering in Miss Ferris the charms 
 that I admired so much, nor did I envy him his advan- 
 tage of youth ; I only felt settling down, as it were, over 
 me, a dull weight of despondency, which I feared I 
 would never be able to shake off. Miss Pauline's voice 
 again broke in upon my reverie. 
 
 " You reside altogether in Buffalo, Doctor Wilmer 
 Do you like it there ? " 
 
 " Yes, I have become attached to the place and 
 people ; it would be like commencing life again to leave 
 my practice there." 
 
 " How uncomfortable that must be for your family 
 here ! they cannot hope to enjoy much of your society ; 
 and then, I should think, as Belle's guardian, you would 
 prefer being nearer to them." 
 
 "Do not remain under a false impression, Miss 
 Lecount ? I am not guardian to Miss Ferris ; Mr. Masters 
 was left trustee of both her and her property, under her 
 father's will." 
 
 " That I was aware of, your sister explained it to 
 us ; but still I thought you might have something to do 
 with her education or propof ty, along with him."
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A EIVAL. 115 
 
 " Nothing whatever," I answered. 
 
 " Then, how very romantic your mutual friendship 
 is ! Belle always quotes Dr. Wilmer, your judgment is 
 quite conclusive with her ; and hearing your name so fre- 
 quently made us very curious to meet you, and I cer- 
 tainly expected to see a much older person." 
 
 Here Miss Pauline laughed affectedly ; and having 
 penetrated her motives, I felt rather amused than other- 
 wise at her last remark. 
 
 "I believe I hardly look venerable enough for a 
 Mentor, and I have never tried the position," I said. 
 " No doubt, hearing me referred to very often by my 
 mother and sister, has given Miss Ferris the habit of 
 doing the same thing." 
 
 I saw that Miss Pauline suspected an unusual under- 
 standing between Miss Ferris and me, an idea which 
 the former had unconsciously helped to forward by so 
 constantly mentioning my name. The secret of our 
 mutual confidence, however, was one not easy to pene- 
 trate, and Miss Pauline's attacks remained unheeded 
 though understood. 
 
 After the music was ended, the conversation became 
 more general. I particularly noticed that, in speaking, 
 the whole family mentioned " Belle and Claude " in the 
 same breath, as if they were understood to be equally 
 interested in the subject under discussion. It annoyed 
 and pained me. I could see clearly how the others pres- 
 ent were quietly forwarding Miss Pauline's scheme, and 
 I knew how easily a young girl, completely withdrawn
 
 116 
 
 from the world, might be induced to engage herself to a 
 gentleman, fascinating and handsome, like Mr. Claude. 
 Once her word was passed, she, so truthful and con- 
 scientious, would not recall the promise given, while too 
 young to understand the wants and yearnings of her 
 own nature. 
 
 I determined to talk the matter over with my sister, 
 but was I the one to do it ? Could I conscientiously 
 say that my feelings were disinterested? Was I a 
 proper judge of Mr. Claude Lecount, his heart, and his 
 motives ? If Miss Pauline saw that her brother's happi- 
 ness depended on the love of this young girl, so strange- 
 ly thrown among them, was she not only doing a sister's 
 part in trying to secure that happiness to him ? Had she 
 not a perfect right to view in me a dangerous rival, to 
 be met and defeated with the weapons of artifice, so 
 powerful in the hands of a woman of depth and 
 shrewdness? 
 
 I think that from that first evening she was thor- 
 oughly convinced that the fascination of her great beauty 
 would have no effect on me. In a measure she read me 
 as truly as I did her ; only that, where I understood her 
 whole position and its advantages, she could not com- 
 prehend mine. She could not penetrate the powerful 
 scruple which prevented me from meeting her brother 
 on equal grounds, namely, my great claim on Miss 
 Ferris' gratitude. Therefore, the very cause which held 
 me back, quiet and constrained, effected in her the 
 greatest uneasiness. She could not attribute bashful-
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A EIVAL. 117 
 
 ness to me, and my silent, undemonstrative manner gave 
 the impression of the consciousness of power possessed. 
 
 On rising to take our leave, she promised to return 
 the visit as soon as her health would permit ; and Mr. 
 Claude, taking up his hat. drew Miss Ferris' arm through 
 his own, and they sauntered before us down the path. 
 It was some distance to the gate, and when we reached 
 it, he was bidding her good-by, holding her hand in his, 
 while he addressed to her some earnest, parting words. 
 He wished us " good-night " pleasantly, apologized for 
 not going all the way with us, and, raising his hat, re- 
 turned up the path toward the house. Miss Ferris 
 took Mr. Masters' arm and remained silent for some 
 time, a very unusual thing with her. 
 
 " A very nice young fellow," Mr. Masters at length 
 ejaculated. " What do you say, Belle ? " 
 
 "I like him," was the quiet answer. 
 
 "I wonder he didn't escort you home, he used to do 
 it," my sister remarked in a style peculiar to herself, 
 half serious, half satirical. 
 
 " He is tired, and besides he has to pack his trunk, 
 he is going to New York to-morrow," Miss Ferris ex- 
 plained in a low tone. 
 
 "New York ! " my sister exclaimed; " why, he was 
 so anxious about that picnic, that he couldn't talk of 
 any thing else last night." 
 
 " I know that, but he says that it has lost all its at- 
 traction for him since I am not going, and so the sooner 
 he begins business the better for himself."
 
 118 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 " Dear me, I am sorry ; but indeed, Belle, it would 
 never do for us to give our consent to your going ; the 
 risk is too great, isn't it, John ? " 
 
 " Decidedly so ! " I answered. 
 
 " What a beauty Miss Pauline is ! " remarked Mrs. 
 Masters ; " I never saw such a perfect brunette. Joseph, 
 we must invite her down to the city this winter, and 
 she will grow accustomed to us and our ways. Then, 
 next winter when we have our pet home, perhaps she 
 will be willing to stay some time with us. Our house 
 would be very lonely after her own." 
 
 " Not if we had the doctor on with us," Mr. Masters 
 replied, with an arch glance at me. " I think she took 
 quite a fancy to you, and possibly you may return the 
 compliment ; certainly neither of you paid much atten- 
 tion to any one else in the room." 
 
 " I don't wonder at any one admiring her ; she might 
 turn an older and wiser head than even Doctor Wil- 
 mer's," Mrs. Masters went on. 
 
 Between admiring Miss Pauline, and arranging a 
 fishing expedition for the next day, we at last reached 
 the house. 
 
 The lamp in the sitting-room was turned quite low, 
 and, before my sister could reach it to raise it, Miss 
 Ferris had said good-night and was leaving the room. 
 
 " Oh ! Belle, don't go yet ; get some cake for us. 
 Why ! you have been crying," exclaimed my sister, as 
 the light suddenly flashed on Miss Ferris' face. 
 
 " Why ! little one, you surely would not cry about
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A RIVAL. 119 
 
 a picnic party," Mr. Masters said, putting his arm round 
 her waist. " Only wait till you are twenty, and you 
 shall have picnics "by the dozen, and Mr. Claude at every 
 one of them." 
 
 "I was not crying about the picnic," Miss Ferris 
 said in a low tone, at the same time hiding her face on 
 Mr. Masters' shoulder. 
 
 He kissed her gently. " Well, well, pet, whatever the 
 trouble is, better go and sleep now, and forget it all until 
 morning ; perhaps it won't seem so terrible then." 
 
 He let her go, watching her out of the room and up 
 the stairs, walking in a slow manner, not at all natural. 
 
 " It can't be possible that Mr. Claude has stolen our 
 pet's heart," Mr. Masters said, closing the door and ad- 
 dressing us all at once, with a puzzled expression in 
 his face. 
 
 " It wouldn't be at all surprising," answered Mrs. 
 Masters. " He is so handsome, and you all must have 
 noticed the attention he paid her this evening. A stran- 
 ger would have said at once that they were engaged." 
 
 "Dear me, dear me!" exclaimed my sister, looking 
 horrified ; " how silly I have been ! " 
 
 " Not at all, my dear Miss "Wilmer, not at all. The 
 young man lacks nothing but money, and if he has 
 any talent he won't be long without it. In this country 
 that is no objection, and besides, she has plenty. We 
 Lave no right to quarrel with what appears unavoidable. 
 There is nothing to be said against the young man or his 
 family. The only thing I wish is, that no engagement
 
 120 DR. WELMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 be entered into until after she conies of age. If possible, 
 Miss Wilmer, try and make her agree to that arrange- 
 ment. They are both young enough to wait a few 
 months, although Sallie and I had our minds made up 
 before she was eighteen." 
 
 "Yes, Joseph," Mrs. Masters answered, pressing his 
 hand in hers, " and I don't think we ever regretted it." 
 
 " And we hadn't ten thousand a year ready to step 
 into, had we, little woman? Well, if we only live to 
 see Arthur Ferris' child happy, we may die contented. 
 There is one thing certain : this young man may suspect 
 that she is rich, but he cannot be sure of it, and, from 
 what I have seen of him, I think he is disinterested in 
 his love." 
 
 " Belle is quite worthy of being loved for herself 
 alone," said my sister, "but at the same time, the 
 Lecounts are shrewd enough, when they think of all 
 the different little things they have heard and seen, to 
 suspect that Belle is either rich in her own right, or is 
 considered your heiress. Her dress, and the luxuries of 
 all kinds that you have surrounded her with, would jus- 
 tify the conclusion. However, she is her own mistress 
 in the affair; no one here will prejudice her either in his 
 favor or against him. Of course, he will have a strong 
 friend in his sister Pauline, and if you think it best, we 
 might by degrees break off the intimacy." 
 
 "Not at all," was Mr. Masters' answer. "Let the 
 girl's own heart decide the matter. Of course she has 
 as yet seen nothing of the world ; she has had no oppor-
 
 m WHICH I MEET A EIVAL. 121 
 
 tunity of comparing this Mr. Lecount with other young 
 men equally well educated and fascinating ; but the 
 trouble is this : once in her own house, surrounded by 
 new friends and old ones, she will be a mark for every 
 brainless young fop, in search of a rich wife, that she 
 may meet. New York abounds with them at present 
 gay, thoughtless fellows, brought up with expensive 
 tastes and extravagant habits by their silly parents, 
 without any legitimate business, and afraid of soiling 
 their white hands with hard work. Why, when they do 
 succeed in obtaining a position in a bank or a mercan- 
 tile house, the salary don't suffice to support them. ' A 
 rich wife ' is the watch-word at present. When I was 
 young, a man felt proud when he knew that he could 
 support another and himself comfortably. A wife then 
 was a precious prize, to be worked for and won by the 
 use of the talents and energy that a man possessed in 
 himself. If his home were only two rooms, they were 
 his, and she was mistress of them. Now, all that is 
 changed. Our young men are quite willing to marry 
 before they can honestly support themselves, and ' live 
 home,' as they term it, with their wife's father and 
 mother. And some of them think it quite a condescen- 
 sion on their part to accept a comfortable home, in ex- 
 change for the trifling attentions they bestow on their 
 wives, when it suits them to be kind and thoughtful. 
 I don't like to think of giving Belle to one of these aris- 
 tocratic idlers." Mr. Masters had grown quite irate in 
 his anticipations of Miss Ferris' suitors, and walked up 
 6
 
 122 DE. WILMEK'S XOVE. 
 
 and down the room with heavy steps, whilst delivering 
 his opinion of the young men with whom he was in the 
 habit of meeting. 
 
 " Don't borrow trouble, Joseph," remarked his wife. 
 " Mr. Lecount, at least, cannot be quite so objectionable 
 as the young men you are speaking of, and Belle might 
 go farther and fare worse." 
 
 " Belle has a great development of firmness," said 
 my sister, smiling ; " she will not marry Claude Lecount 
 unless she likes him, and up to the present time I don't 
 think such an idea has ever come into her head. Per- 
 haps we had better wait a little before we trouble our 
 minds about Belle's husband. She is as yet a mere 
 child, and likely to continue so .for some time to come." 
 
 " I hope you may be right," said Mr. Masters, 
 shaking his head prophetically, "but her manner to- 
 night was not very childish." 
 
 " Ah, well, Joseph," said Mrs. Masters,- as she lit 
 her lamp, and was leaving the room, " these things are 
 beyond us ; we must wait and be patient." 
 
 The next morning, long before Miss Ferris was ac- 
 customed to make her appearance, Mr. Masters and I 
 had started on our fishing excursion. It was deserving 
 of the title, for we fished all day and caught nothing 
 but sun-burned necks and hands. So we set out for 
 home, voting the expedition a complete failure. Miss 
 Ferris was just taking leave of her friend Miss Pauline, 
 as we passed the Lecounts' gate. We stopped and had 
 a merry greeting from them, and some very dangerous
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A BIVAL. 123 
 
 glances from the oriental eyes, which, though aimed at 
 me, struck Mr. Masters. That good-natured gentleman 
 immediately commenced weaving in his brain a wonder- 
 ful romance, in which I was to be the hero and Miss 
 Pauline the heroine. That young lady was arranging 
 when she would come and spend a day with us, and as 
 we turned away I offered Miss Ferris my arm. But 
 she had taken Mr. Masters' hastily, and was making 
 some absurd remarks to him on the amount of fish he 
 had caught. Her manner was curious, a forced gayety 
 and petulance, under which I detected a nervousness 
 and a tendency to the old excitability. I lingered be- 
 hind them pondering over the change in Miss Ferris' 
 manner toward me. Even my presence made her act 
 unnaturally with her guardian. The light laugh, and 
 the tones of her voice that reached me, might deceive 
 another, particularly one so unsuspicious as honest Mr. 
 Masters. They did not mislead me. My innocent, im- 
 pulsive darling was trying to act a part, trying to 
 appear happy, when, in truth, she was troubled and 
 miserable. I determined to find out from her what it 
 was that caused her uneasiness, feeling sure that she 
 would tell -me, seeing that a few days before she had 
 opened her heart to me in the old confidential way. To 
 my great surprise she avoided me during the remainder 
 of the evening, refusing to walk with me; and having 
 found some intricate needle-work, she sat down near 
 Mrs. Masters, and became so interested in it as to ap- 
 pear indifferent to the general conversation around her.
 
 124 DK. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 Once, having dropped a ball of wool, I picked it up 
 and handed it to her. She colored as she met my eyes 
 fixed on her face, but made no remark, and more 
 puzzled than ever I resumed my conversation with Mr. 
 Masters. 
 
 The possibility of the Barrows arriving troubled 
 Mr. Masters exceedingly, and he determined to remain 
 and mount guard over Miss Ferris during .their stay in 
 the neighborhood. 
 
 "Yes," said my sister, "you can take Belle off 
 early in the mornings and explore the country, and 
 John and mother may entertain them if Pauline brings 
 them here. Perhaps it would be better to call and in- 
 vite them to the house so as to ward off suspicion, 
 Belle's absence will then appear accidental." 
 
 " The task of entertaining them will foil on you," 
 I answered, " for I shall leave for home to-morrow." 
 
 In the general surprise that followed my announce- 
 ment, and amid exclamations of dismay and disgust at 
 my obstinacy, Miss Ferris escaped from the room. 
 
 " Poor Belle," said my mother, after I had over- 
 come their united arguments, and decided upon leaving 
 by the early train on the following morning "poor 
 Belle, she has enjoyed very little of your society, after 
 all. The poor child didn't know what to say to you, 
 and so she left the room without a word." 
 
 " John, you are such an obstinate creature," went 
 on my sister, " what do your patients think of you ? " 
 
 "They think as I do, that, being strong, and having
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A EIVAL. 125 
 
 seen you all well and happy, I ought to be in Buffalo 
 attending to them and their whims." 
 
 " What could have come to Belle this evening ? 
 Her work is ruined. What could the child have been 
 thinking of?" exclaimed my sister, lifting up Miss 
 Ferris's needle-work, and holding it for Mrs. Masters 
 to inspect. 
 
 " Oh, Mr. Claude Lecount, without a doubt," replied 
 Mr. Masters, shaking his head ; " the child is in love 
 as sure as I am alive," and the old gentleman went 
 up-stairs, humming some lines from "Love's Young 
 Dream." 
 
 I opened the window and strolled up and down the 
 piazza in the cool night air, trying to realize my posi- 
 tion and reason myself into the belief that I was con- 
 tented with it. My visit home had not helped me to 
 bear my disappointment any better. It had only served 
 to make my love for Miss Ferris more intense, and to 
 increase my jealousy and doubts of her feeling for me. 
 In trying to account for the change in her manner tow- 
 ard me, I never thought of how much my own con- 
 duct had to do with it. I forgot that I had become 
 cold and distant, and I blamed her for the loss of the 
 old confidence and warm affection that had existed 
 between us. I attributed her reserve and avoidance of 
 me to the new feeling for Claude Lecount, which I be- 
 lieved was absorbing all her thoughts. Jealousy had 
 so taken possession of me that I seized upon every trifle, 
 a glance or a word that had passed between them, as
 
 126 DR. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 proofs of her love for him, and attached no importance 
 to her assertions to the contrary, made on the tirst day 
 of my visit. I argued that she was not conscious of her 
 own sentiments for him then, but that his departure and 
 absence had caused her to realize them, and that so 
 suddenly, as to render her unable to conceal from us 
 their effect upon her. In my blind jealousy I made up 
 my mind to leave her with our estrangement unex- 
 plained, forgetting that by so doing I was playing into 
 Miss Pauline's hands, and leaving her in possession of 
 the whole field. Deprived of my advice, Miss Ferris 
 would naturally turn to her for consolation ; and while 
 still hurt with me, it would be an easy task for Miss 
 Pauline to instil into the innocent mind a doubt of me 
 and my sincerity. Once doubted, could not all my 
 words and acts be misconstrued ? I never gave these 
 things a thought, I only hugged to my heart my own 
 trouble, and determined t to return to my work, call 
 pride and indifference to my aid, and drown all recol- 
 lection of my own romance in the busy wear and tear 
 of every-day life. 
 
 I was about to enter the house, when a low sob 
 struck on my ears, and, turning in the direction from 
 which it came, I caught a glimpse of a white dress flut- 
 tering in the air. There was an old rustic bench in 
 that part of the garden, and hurrying toward it I found 
 Miss Ferris seated on it. She was crying passionately; 
 her face hidden against her hands, which were clasped 
 round the twisted branch that formed the side of the
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A KIVAL. 127 
 
 bench. My first impulse was to put my arms around 
 her and pet her, as I would a spoiled child of six years, 
 but I remembered Mr. Claude Lecount, and realized 
 that she was no longer a child, but a woman who pos- 
 sessed a more than ordinary depth of feeling and sensi- 
 tiveness. 
 
 She started as I spoke to her, and, raising her head, 
 showed me a pale face, with sad, tearful eyes, and 
 quivering lips. She ceased sobbing at once, but trem- 
 bled visibly, when I drew her arm through mine and 
 led her toward the house, telling her the danger she 
 ran of contracting a heavy cold. I did not dare to 
 question her as to the caus of her grief, feeling that I 
 had no right to seek her confidence in a matter where 
 her love was concerned, unless she oifered it voluntarily. 
 I told her to confide in Mr. Masters, and tell him what 
 troubled her, assuring her that he thought only of her 
 happiness, and would do every thing in his power to 
 secure it. She appeared to listen to my advice, but 
 made no remark that could give me an idea of the cur- 
 rent of her thoughts. She did not so much as allude to 
 my intended departure, but I could see in the moonlight 
 that her face wore an expression such as I had never 
 before seen on it. Her lips were compressed, and the 
 sad look in her eyes had given place to a quiet, cold 
 expression, denoting self-control and calculation. Her 
 whole manner reminded me of what she had been fast 
 growing into before I met her at Niagara, and shook 
 her, by my interest in her and the force of a strong will,
 
 128 DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 out of the dull apathetic despair that was stealing over 
 her so sadly. 
 
 Hers was no common nature. Joined to ardent 
 affections and quick impulsiveness, she possessed a 
 quiet, cautious, unsuspected firmness, which, if exerted, 
 could entirely control the passions Avhich appeared on 
 the surface, and seemed to denote her true disposition. 
 Finding it impossible to gain her confidence, and afraid 
 to demand an explanation of her coldness, lest I should 
 forget myself and let her see my own heart, I took 
 leave of her on reaching the house, where we had found 
 my sister, lamp in hand, about making a search for us. 
 For a moment, while her hand lay in mine, she gave me 
 a glance, bright and searching, as if she felt inclined to 
 tell me something, but either my face or her own 
 thoughts made her recall the desire, and, having wished 
 me a safe trip, she left us standing iri the hall together. 
 I was disappointed, and my sister was astonished. 
 
 " How strange Belle looks, and how very unnatu- 
 rally she acts ! John, dear, do you think she is quite 
 well ? don't you feel anxious about her ? Where did 
 you find her ? I went in to see if she Was asleep, and, 
 when I missed her, you can't tell what a feeling of 
 dread came over me. The idea of her going out in the 
 damp air in her thin dress ! I declare, for the last three 
 days she has been a perfect enigma to me. Can you 
 understand her ? " 
 
 " Not very well, unless, as Mr. Masters says, she is 
 in love, and has suddenly become a wise little woman,
 
 DT WHICH I MEET A EFVAL. 129 
 
 instead of a bright, spoiled child. Another thing ; the 
 only childhood she knew was over before she was six 
 years old. From that time until she came here, she 
 was denied all childish pleasures, and forced to think 
 and reason far beyond her strength. I suppose the old 
 habit of thinking and fretting comes easy to her, now 
 that Mr. Claude's attentions have given her subject for 
 meditation." 
 
 " I think you take it too quietly, John," replied my 
 sister, looking still more anxious. " If she don't im- 
 prove, I shall send for you, and I wish you would put 
 off your return home, and stay with us a few days 
 longer. I am very uneasy about her." 
 
 " You must see," I said, " that my presence has no 
 good effect upon her. I think, on the contrary, that it 
 tends to Increase her trouble." 
 
 " And yet, John, at one time you were every thing 
 to her." 
 
 It was well that my sister was too much engaged 
 with the lamp at that moment to look at me. My face 
 might have told her a secret. I turned away, that she 
 should not observe the effect of her words, and she mis- 
 took the movement for one of impatience. 
 
 " Well, well, John, since you are so anxious to be 
 back at your work, I shall not try to keep you from it ; 
 only remember," and here my sister put her arms round 
 my neck and looked into my eyes, " that mother grows 
 older every day, and longs to have you near her. I 
 6*
 
 130 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 wish you would think seriously of trying to establish 
 yourself here, or else, as you are determined not to 
 marry, why not save some money, and retire from your 
 profession ? you could find enough here to amuse you, 
 without attending to business." 
 
 " You think so," I answered ; " but I know better. 
 I have enough now to satisfy my own tastes and wants, 
 but I should be miserable without my every-day work 
 to occupy my mind. Besides, I love my profession, and 
 I shall never give it up until I feel myself unable to 
 practise it faithfully. I will, however, see what can be 
 done, so that after Miss Ferris comes of age we may be 
 together again." 
 
 " Yes, John, we have no one but mother ; let us 
 study only her comfort while she is spared to us." 
 
 After my sister had kissed me good-night, I began 
 to think of all she had said, and thought very seriously 
 of it, too. In Buffalo I had far greater chances of mak- 
 ing a name and reputation than in a small village, 
 where, instead of many, I was likely to have only one 
 rival to compete with. Still, a doctor can find subjects 
 for his skill, and meet with new and strange cases in 
 any field where he may choose to employ his talents 
 and use his knowledge, whether it be among the nar- 
 row, dirty streets of a crowded city, or among the scat- 
 tered houses of a country village. Suffering and misery 
 are about equally distributed in both ; and where pov- 
 erty and ignorance may exist on the one side, pride and 
 meanness will balance them on the other. The " bub-
 
 US' WHICH I MEET A RIVAL. 131 
 
 ble reputation " had lost its principal charms for me. 
 To enjoy a thing that we earn, in the true sense of the 
 word, is impossible, unless there is some one near us 
 who can appreciate, not only the labor and its reward, 
 but also the laborer. Hereafter, I might work for the 
 work's sake, but not for the added respect and fame 
 that success should bring me. 
 
 I ci<itermined to establish myself near my mother, if 
 not, in her own village, as soon as Miss Ferris should be 
 safe in New York. The next morning that young lady 
 did not come down to our early breakfast, so I left the 
 house without seeing her. I had been home but a few 
 days when my sister wrote to me, to say that " Belle 
 ad taken a heavy cold that night before I left, and had 
 een confined to her room ever since." The next news 
 was, that, while Miss Ferris was still sick, the picnic 
 had taken place. The Barrows had arrived in good 
 time, and the whole affair had been most enjoyable and 
 satisfactory. Owing to the care Miss Ferris required, 
 my sister had remained at home, and had not met any 
 of the people from New York. Pauline, however, had 
 been with Belle every day, and had read Claude's let- 
 ters aloud for her. They were very witty, and con- 
 tained graphic descriptions of all that passed of much 
 moment in the metropolis. 
 
 Before Mr. Masters went home, Belle had confided 
 to him the fact that Claude had asked her to be his 
 wife, and she had told him that she had never thought 
 of such a thing. Claude, however, pleaded hard to be
 
 132 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 allowed to address her, and wished to correspond with 
 her. She had been too timid to promise such a favor, 
 without her guardian's sanction, and, as Mr. Masters did 
 not approve of it, Claude had urged it no further, con- 
 tenting himself with sending her long messages in his 
 sister's letters. Mr. Masters' opinion and my sister's 
 agreed. Both were sure that Belle was in love with 
 the young man, but had not realized it at tb*> time 
 he proposed, which explained her curious answer. I 
 gathered from all the accounts I heard, that Miss Ferris 
 and Miss Pauline were more .intimate than ever, and 
 that, whenever Mr. Claude paid a visit home, his atten- 
 tions to the former were exclusive. My sister thought 
 that Miss Ferris was pleased and flattered by all this 
 devotion, but felt quite, sure that Mr. Claude had not 
 risked another proposal. She would tell me at times : , 
 that "Belle appeared to be more timid and retiring 
 every time she met Claude," and in the next letter I 
 would read a long account of a sleighing-party, for 
 which he had run up from the city, and at which Belle 
 had looked prettier and enjoyed herself more than any 
 one else. 
 
 Another time he had arrived with some beautiful 
 skates of an entirely new design, and was going to 
 teach Belle how to use them. In spite of the bitter 
 pain these reports caused me, I read them over and 
 over again, trying to find in the descriptions of Miss 
 Ferris's manner something on which to build fresh hopes. 
 I was unsuccessful. My sister concluded that Belle's 
 
 & 
 
 l 
 
 m
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A RIVAL. 133 
 
 love for Mr. Claude deepened daily, and Mr. Masters 
 wrote fine reports of the young man's character and 
 business qualifications. 
 
 So time rolled by days, weeks, and months until 
 early in the summer, when Mr. Masters received the 
 long-expected announcement. Mrs. Ferris and Mr. 
 Parker had been married at the chapel of the Ameri- 
 can embassy in Paris, and were about setting out for 
 Switzerland, where they proposed remaining for some 
 months. This intelligence made Mr. Masters feel quite 
 easy in his mind, and I heard soon after that my sister 
 and Miss Pauline were on a visit at his house for a 
 special purpose. In view of the fifth of September, 
 now drawing near, a day ardently longed for by the 
 whole band of conspirators against Mrs. Parker, Mr. 
 Masters was refitting his house to^suit the tastes of 
 the young people whose pleasure lay so near his 
 heart. 
 
 He intended giving a large party on that night, to 
 which should be invited every friend and acquaintance 
 of the late Mr. Ferris. Miss Pauline's taste was most 
 exquisite, my sister informed me, and Mrs. Masters was 
 delighted with all her suggestions. As my presence 
 might be necessary on that occasion, I made my ar- 
 rangements accordingly, although anticipating more 
 pain than pleasure. 
 
 I had been for some time negotiating with a gentle- 
 man who wished to succeed me in my practice ; and my 
 mother already, in imagination, saw me once more liv-
 
 134 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 ing contentedly in my old home. Every one in our 
 little circle had a great joy in anticipation, and each de- 
 pended on the other for its fulfilment. Mr. Masters was 
 turning his house upside down for Miss Ferris, and 
 mother was employed in the same way for me. Mean- 
 while my sister and Miss Pauline divided their time be- 
 tween both houses. Miss Ferris was building fairy cas- 
 tles in the air, and I never stopped to analyze my own 
 feelings, once I had determined to sell my practice and 
 return home. My own air-castle being demolished, I 
 concluded to help my mother in realizing hers, by taking 
 possession of my own apartment in it. 
 
 I had intended starting for New York before the 
 first of September, so as to be able to help forward Mr. i 
 Masters' arrangements, he having urged me to be in 
 good time. However, one of my best friends was taken 
 dangerously ill the veiyxlay on which I had intended to 
 leave home, and I determined to remain with him until 
 there were some signs of improvement in his condition. 
 At last I felt that I could leave him with safety, and I 
 started. 
 
 I arrived at Mr. Masters' door, valise in hand, on the 
 party night, about half an hour before the guests were 
 expected to assemble. The ladies were in their rooms, 
 the servant informed me, and so I went up to the one 
 prepared for me without seeing any of them, although 
 I anxiously wished for a few moments' conversation 
 with my sister. The parlors were quite full when I de- 
 scended, and I hastened to pay my respects to the
 
 IN WHICH I MEET A RIVAL. 135 
 
 hostess, who stood at the end of them receiving her 
 guests. Many of them were entire strangers to her, 
 and Mr. Masters was introducing Mrs. Barrow when I 
 joined them.
 
 CHAPTER VI. 
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 
 
 HAVING apologized for my late appearance, I turned 
 away in search of some one that I knew. The rooms 
 were certainly most beautiful, and did full credit to 
 Miss Pauline's taste ; although I could detect traces of 
 Miss Ferns in the decorations. Her favorite colors, 
 white and violet, were visible wherever they could be 
 introduced, and were particularly noticeable in the ar- 
 rangement of the flowers. White rosebuds, camelias, 
 and tube-roses, contrasted with heliotropes and violets, 
 were scattered in profusion throughout the rooms. 
 Every ornament that could be made available con- 
 tained natural flowers, whose beauty and mingled per- 
 fumes added to the influence of the scene. From va- 
 rious opinions that reached me as, I made my way 
 through the little groups, I gathered that the aifair was 
 considered rather strange and mysterious. It was too 
 early in the season, some thought ; others wondered at 
 the costliness and display so opposite to the usual taste 
 of Mrs. Masters. Many walked about as though per-
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 137 
 
 plexed at having received invitations ; and those I con- 
 cluded at once were Mrs. Parker's own friends. At last 
 I caught a glimpse of a figure which seemed familiar ; 
 but, on having a full view of it, I felt that I was mis- 
 taken. Surely my staid sister, with smooth hair and 
 high dress, never could have so changed her identity. 
 Yet in spite of the low-necked evening toilet of ruby- 
 colored silk, covered with lace ornaments, and the hair 
 arranged in the latest style, all puffs and coils, it was 
 my sister ; for she turned at that moment and came to 
 welcome me, her face lit up with pleasure, I always 
 had an idea, amounting to a belief, that my sister's fea- 
 tures and figure were very handsome ; but that night I 
 felt that she was indeed a beautiful woman in spite of 
 her forty years. Time had seemingly forgotten her, or 
 else it had but little effect on one who led such a quiet, 
 unselfish life. 
 
 My mother next claimed my attention, also looking 
 very happy ; and I laughingly read her a lecture on her 
 extravagance, for she, who had talked about economy 
 for years, was fairly gorgeous in black moire, with point 
 lace at her neck and wrists. For the first time in my 
 life I beheld my mother dressed as I had often imagined 
 her in my boyish visions. It had been my great am- 
 bition to give her such luxuries, but she had ever resist- 
 ed my expressed wishes, saying that it would be wrong 
 to waste on such unnecessary things the money I earned 
 so hard. Now, when I declared that I would be obliged 
 to reconsider my plan of selling out my lucrative prac-
 
 138 DR. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 tice, she only said, " Think of the occasion ! surely that 
 will warrant the expense." 
 
 I must say that I felt very proud of ray little mother; 
 when, after some coaxing, she condescended to take a 
 turn round the room, leaning on my arm. The violet 
 ribbons trimming her lace cap gave a brightness to her 
 soft eyes, and I found myself admiring the little hand 
 shaded with lace that lay on my arm. My sister had 
 volunteered no remarks about Miss Ferris, and I had 
 felt myself unequal to asking any questions. I deter- 
 mined to await events patiently ; and while still prac- 
 tising that virtue, Miss Pauline Lecount entered the 
 room, hanging on her brother's arm. Her appearance, 
 which was dazzling, caused a general buzz of admira- 
 tion, which followed her as she swept through the rooms 
 toward a group which I had not before noticed, com- 
 posed principally of her own family. 
 
 Her dress of white tulle, soft and graceful, was in- 
 terwoven with silver, and trimmed, with wreaths of 
 dark-red roses. They caught up the overskirt, peeped 
 from the folds qf the corsage twined over the graceful 
 neck and rounded arms, and shone in the black braids 
 of her beautiful hair. Certainly Miss Pauline's taste 
 was beyond question. 
 
 The other members of her family were attracting 
 much attention, owing to their decided beauty. I 
 recognized her mother, Miss Marie, and the two 
 young gentlemen to whom I had been introduced. As 
 I was about going over to renew my acquaintance with
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 139 
 
 them, there was a slight confusion in the room, and Mr. 
 Masters called my name. Drawing me to his side, and 
 demanding attention by a slight gesture, he asked to 
 explain the meaning of the party so strangely given. 
 There was a general pressing toward him, and then the 
 guests became silent. His impressive manner affected 
 all in the room. 
 
 He commenced, and told in a few touching words 
 the story of Miss Ferris, and the wrongs she had suf- 
 fered. Laying his hand on my shoulder, he presented 
 me as his witness to the truth of all he had said. He 
 appealed to the old friends of Mr. Ferris, and particu- 
 larly to those who had known his first wife, to stand 
 by the cause of their orphan child. His voice shook at 
 times with emotion when referring to the sufferings 
 heaped on the innocent girl ; and then amid the general 
 hush, caused by astonishment and doubt that followed 
 his words, he left the room. A few moments passed ; 
 people began to find words in which to express their 
 surprise. Several declared that they would recognize 
 the child anywhere ; others looked at me suspiciously, 
 and spoke of Mrs. Ferris's devotion to her step-child. 
 A general interchange of opinions was going on when 
 Mr. Masters reappeared with Miss Ferris leaning on his 
 arm. Certainly a lovelier vision had never before met 
 their glances. She was dressed in white tulle, that 
 floated around her slight, elegant figure like a cloud. 
 Her beautiful hair lay in long, soft curls on her neck ; 
 and the excitement of the affair had brought a delicate
 
 14:0 DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 color, like -the pink of a sea-shell, into her cheeks. For 
 a moment there was complete silence, such as had suc- 
 ceeded Mr. Masters' announcement of her existence. 
 Then a cry of " Belle, little Belle ! don't you remember 
 me ? " broke the spell. The speaker, a tall, fine-looking 
 woman, who had stood near me, rushed forward and 
 caught Miss Ferris in her arms, kissing her fondly. 
 
 " You are Mrs. Lester, papa's cousin," was the an- 
 swer, and it carried conviction to many hearts. 
 
 Mrs. Barrow, strange to say, was a strong witness. 
 
 " Now that I see her eyes, I am quite sure that it 
 is she. I saw her the day before she was put into that 
 terrible asylum." 
 
 " Oh yes, mamma, I remember her perfectly," ex- 
 claimed Miss Barrow. 
 
 It was some time before I had a chance to speak to 
 the heroine of the evening. She was passed from one 
 to another, to be kissed and petted like a valuable curi- 
 osity. Others seized upon me and plied their ques- 
 tions, which, I am happy to say, they were delicate and 
 thoughtful enough not to press on Miss Ferris. 
 
 I received more invitations to dinner during that 
 evening than I ever had in all the years of my life put 
 together. The Lecounts were certainly the most amazed 
 people I had ever seen. My mother and sister found 
 themselves surrounded by eager questioners, and gave 
 their experience of Miss Ferris over and over again to 
 the delighted listeners. Mr. Masters went about rub- 
 bing his face, which was rosy with delight, and endured
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 141 
 
 any number of congratulations and endless handshaking. 
 For that night he was a greater diplomatist than even 
 Metternich. 
 
 Mr. Claude Lecount had at last succeeded in draw- 
 ing Miss Ferris's arm through his, and was walking in 
 triumph with her around the rooms. His handsome 
 head was bent down, while he poured his delicate com- 
 pliments into her ears. Her manner was curious, shy, 
 and retiring, as if only half liking this exclusive atten- 
 tion. Her eyes were fastened on her fan, which she 
 opened and shut nervously, and the bright color was 
 mantling in the transparent cheeks. As I turned from 
 observing her, to answer a question of Mrs. Lester's, I 
 caught Miss Pauline's eyes fixed intently on my face. 
 "We bowed rather confusedly, each so well understand- 
 ing the other. I felt that the dark-eyed beauty was a 
 powerful antagonist. 
 
 Mr. Masters coming toward me, pointed to the mu- 
 sicians, who had taken their places behind a screen 
 formed of large tropical plants, placed in ornamental 
 boxes, and invited me to commence the dance with Miss 
 Ferris. I found her conversing with Mr. Claude in a 
 little room which had been turned into a conservatory 
 for the evening, She started when she heard my voice, 
 and turned as if to welcome me in the old, impulsive 
 manner. The next minute she had controlled the feel- 
 ing, and blushing deeply, without raising her eyes to 
 mine, she held out her hand, stammering some words to 
 the effect that she was glad to sec me, and was sorry
 
 142 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 for my detention. Then she glanced toward her com- 
 panion, and intimated that we had met before. We 
 bowed distantly, and I offered her my arm and made 
 my request. 
 
 She blushed painfully, it seemed to me, and, very 
 much embarrassed, looked at Mr. Claude. 
 
 " Miss Ferris is engaged to me for this, Doctor Wil- 
 mer," said that gentleman, in a tone of ill-concealed tri- 
 umph. 
 
 " The next one, then I think it is a polka," I went 
 on, looking at Miss Ferris. 
 
 She appeared more and more confused. 
 
 " Miss Ferris has been kind enough to promise me 
 that one, and the next, also," said Mr. Claude, with 
 sparkling eyes. . 
 
 " Is your card entirely filled ? " I asked. 
 
 She detached it from the chain of her fan, and put it 
 in my hand, with fingers that trembled visibly, in spite 
 of her newly-acquired self-control. 
 
 I ran my eyes over the list of dances. Mr. Claude's 
 name was down for the first three, and then appeared 
 at intervals on the card; his brother Louis had also 
 secured several. I felt, if any thing, more hurt at the 
 want of good taste exhibited in Mr. Claude's conduct, 
 than at my own disappointment. I wrote my name 
 down for two dances, and then went in search of an- 
 other partner. If I suffered, they should not be aware 
 of the fact. Miss Ferris's appearance, leaning on Mr. 
 Lecount's arm, was the signal for a general choice of
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 143 
 
 partners, and I was fortunate enough to secure Miss 
 Pauline's hand, which she put in mine, with one of her 
 most fascinating smiles accompanying the favor. In 
 the course of the dance, which happened to be the 
 Lancers, I frequently had to take Miss Ferris's hand. 
 The heightened color and confused manner proved her 
 consciousness of my presence each time ; hut her eyes 
 never once met mine. I had to he content with admir- 
 ing the long, dark, curling lashes that shaded them so 
 completely. My brilliant-looking partner rallied me on 
 my seriousness, and exerted her conversational powers 
 to entertain me. I confessed to feeling rather tired, 
 having travelled day and night from Buffalo without 
 obtaining much rest. When the dance was .over, I 
 joined the group, composed principally of her family, 
 and answered as well as I could the numberless ques- 
 tions put to me by them. Their interest in Miss Ferris 
 had increased to a great degree, and Mrs. Barrow was 
 expressing her opinions of Mrs. Parker in a way any 
 thing but complimentary to that lady. I was quite 
 glad to rest during the second dance, and having se- 
 cured Miss Marie's hand for the third in order, I re- 
 signed myself gracefully to the attentions of which I 
 became the object. 
 
 Mr. Masters was exerting himself bravely o com- 
 plete the effect of his stratagem already so successful, 
 and Mrs. Masters had as much to do as she could well 
 attend to, finding partners for the young people. Mean- 
 while I never turned my eyes toward Miss Ferris with-
 
 144 DB. WTLMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 out being conscious that Miss Pauline's were on me. I 
 felt a slight relief when Miss Marie and I had taken our 
 places in a quadrille ; and when not dancing, I followed 
 the movements of the graceful, fairy-like figure of Miss 
 Ferris, with eager eyes. She was dancing in the set 
 next to the one I was in, and, although unconscious of 
 it herself, was attracting the attention of all in the room 
 by her beauty. 
 
 I had just completed my share of a movement in the 
 dance, when a piercing scream paralyzed every one in the 
 company, and, darting through the amazed group, Miss 
 Ferris flung her arms around my neck, and hid her face 
 against my shoulder, shivering and gasping with fear. 
 
 " She is there ! there, by the door ! " was all I could 
 make out from her confused, incoherent words. We all 
 turned in that direction. There, leaning against the 
 wall, as if for support, stood Mrs. Parker. Surprise had 
 for the moment rendered her motionless, but, before we 
 had time to speak, she advanced rapidly toward me, her 
 eager, wild eyes fixed on Miss Ferris, and her hands 
 outstretched, as if to grasp her. 
 
 As I caught her arm, she glanced at me for the first 
 time. The effect was most strange and instantaneous. 
 The wild glare died out of her eyes, she turned pale, and 
 would have fallen but for her husband, who rushed for- 
 ward and caught her as she fainted. Mrs. Masters sent 
 for restoratives, and while some gathered round Mrs. 
 Parker, others pressed around Miss Ferris, reassuring 
 her, and begging of her to compose herself. I was sur-
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 145 
 
 prised at the effect that the sight of her step-mother had 
 upon her, although no one in the room understood so 
 well the delicacy of her constitution. Without losing 
 consciousness, she became so faint as to be unable to 
 walk without support, and so I carried her into the little 
 conservatory, where I left her with my sister and mother, 
 while I returned to assist Mr. Masters, if necessary. 
 
 Mr. Parker had, very sensibly, refused to allow the 
 affair to be discussed that night, not thinking his wife 
 equal to the effort. Mr. Masters proposed a meeting 
 the next day, at which I would be present, and sug- 
 gested that all claims on both Miss Ferris and the prop- 
 erty should be then settled. 
 
 Mr. Parker would give no answer until his wife was 
 able to take her share in the discussion, and Mr. Masters 
 agreed, assuring them that he had no intention of pros- 
 ecuting them for their treatment of Miss Ferris, as such 
 a proceeding would be opposed to the ybung lady's own 
 wishes. He, however, alluded to the powerful witness 
 he would have in the person of Doctor Wilmer, and the 
 remark had a decided effect. The conversation had 
 been carried on in tones loud enough for all in the room 
 to hear. Mrs. Parker, having regained some of her old 
 firmness, listen^ attentively, without speaking, as 
 though weighing the principal points in her own mind. 
 Mr. Masters' quiet dignity, as if conscious of the strength 
 of his own position, was a marked contrast to the affect- 
 ed coolness and the attempted arrogance of Mr. Parker. 
 Possibly the man felt thoroughly ashamed of himself 
 7
 
 146 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 for the part he had played in the affair, which, dramatic 
 as it might appear to many, proved very nearly tragic 
 to one of the actors in it. 
 
 Mrs. Parker's feelings, on finding herself surrounded 
 by the very persons among whom she had intended to 
 reside on terms of friendship, may be imagined but not 
 described. She had to look only in the faces present, to 
 know in what estimation they held her. With them 
 her power was lost forever. A sigh of relief followed 
 her as she left the room for her carriage, and then 
 every one commenced giving his opinions on the whole 
 affair, which certainly could not have happened more 
 opportunely. No greater proof of Miss Ferris's identity 
 could have been given, and her triumph and Mrs. Par- 
 ker's punishment had been effected simultaneously. 
 
 From what we afterward learned, the circumstance 
 was easily explained. Mr. and Mrs. Parker had re- 
 turned fromEurope^thc evening before, and had taken the 
 earliest occasion to call on Mr. Masters. Being in din- 
 ner dress, the servant had naturally mistaken them for 
 invited guests, and had at once ushered them into the 
 room, causing a scene as strange as it was unexpected. 
 It had not the effect of breaking up the party, and after 
 supper every thing wore its usual asplfct. Miss Ferris 
 took my advice, and remained quiet during several 
 dances, but I could hardly approach her at those times 
 owing to the number surrounding her, and so all hopes 
 of a conversation were over. It happened that the 
 dances for which she was engaged to me were the ones
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GDEST. 147 
 
 that I bad prohibited as too exciting, and instead of 
 having her company to myself while they were in prog- 
 ress, I had to share it with Mr. Claude and Miss Pau- 
 line, as neither of them would think of dancing when 
 she had to remain quiet. At every turn I found myself 
 met and defeated by my smiling antagonist in white 
 and red, and certainly her devotion to her brother was 
 most admirable. It was an early hour in the morning 
 when the last carriage left the door. The young ladies 
 did not appear at breakfast, being " too tired to think 
 of such a thing," my sister told me. 
 
 My stock of patience was large, and I read the 
 papers in the library, wandered about the parlors, set- 
 tled matters with my mother and sister, listened to their 
 plans they were projecting a great shopping expedi- 
 tion, from which I begged to be excused, not caring 
 particularly whether the new curtains were crimson or 
 black and killed time to the best of my ability until 
 two o'clock. That was the usual hour for luncheon, and 
 I waited for the young ladies before descending to the 
 dining-room. 
 
 Mr. Masters, who had been busy in the library all the 
 morning collecting papers relating to Miss Ferris and 1 
 her property, no^came in with a note just received 
 from Mr. Parker. 
 
 "Just as I suspected she is taking time to rally 
 her forces," he exclaimed ; " they cannot make any ap- 
 pointment now, as Mrs. Parker is quite sick. "Well, 
 we must not allow Belle outside the door, without two
 
 148 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 of us at least near her ; and after lunch I am going to 
 search for the register of her mother's marriage, and her 
 own birth. That woman has .every paper in her posses- 
 sion, and she may deny Belle's age. I must have a law- 
 yer's advice on the matter, and the quicker we collect 
 our documents the better." 
 
 "John is waiting for the girls," said my sister, 
 amused at my impatience. 
 
 " So Miss Pauline is bashful," laughed Mr. Masters, 
 with a side glance at his wife. He rang the bell. " Tell 
 the young ladies that we are waiting." 
 
 " If you please, sir, they won't be down ; they had 
 breakfast brought up to them late," was the servant's 
 answer. 
 
 Mr. Masters laughed, and enjoyed his lunch more 
 than I did. We were more fortunate in what we had 
 undertaken outside the house. The doctor's book was 
 at our service, and the church register was perfectly 
 clear. The lawyer took copies of all the papers neces- 
 sary, and gave it as his opinion that we Avould meet 
 with no opposition from Mrs. Parker. Mr. Masters 
 returned home in high glee, and we found the family 
 party assembled in the parlor. Mr. Claude, having a 
 standing invitation to dinner, was 4P duty beside the 
 piano, where Miss Ferris was trying over some new 
 music. TVe told of our successful search, and were com- 
 plimented on our wisdom. I went over to Miss Ferris. 
 
 " I hope you are not very tired after last night. 
 You are unused to so much excitement."
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 14:9 
 
 " Not very," she answered, " but you must be strong. 
 Pauline heard you going oat this morning before eight 
 o'clock." 
 
 " Did she, indeed ? " I asked. 
 
 " Yes ; I thought you -would have slept later, after 
 such tiresome travelling. We both wondered what im- 
 portant business could call you out at that hour." 
 
 " And what have you been occupied with all day? " 
 I asked. 
 
 " With nothing of any use. Pauline darkened the 
 rooms, and made me sleep very late. She was afraid I 
 would be sick after what happened last night, and, in- 
 deed, I am sure I acted very foolishly ; but you can't 
 imagine how frightened I was, when I looked up and 
 met Mrs. Parker's eyes fastened on me, they were so 
 wild and wicked, and the whole thing was so sudden 
 and unexpected." 
 
 " I can understand your feelings very well. It would 
 take a person with stronger nerves than you possess, to 
 bear such a shock with coolness," I replied. 
 
 She looked up at me as if relieved of some doubt, 
 and her face brightened. 
 
 " I was afraid you thought me both silly and affected." 
 
 "Did I ever say or do any thing that could lead you 
 to believe that I had such an opinion of you ? " I asked. 
 
 She flushed, and was about answering, when Miss 
 Pauline's voice, close beside us, inquired 
 
 " Belle, love, did you speak to Doctor Wilmcr about 
 the concert ? "
 
 150 DE. WILMZR'S LOVE. 
 
 " I never thought of it," was the answer. 
 
 I turned to look at my fair antagonist, in white mus- 
 lin and crimson ribbons, who did not scruple to use 
 deceit in gaining her ends. She at once described the 
 objects of the concert to which they were going that 
 evening, with her two brothers ; and Mr. Masters, join- 
 ing the group, proposed that we should all go in a party, 
 if there was any thing worth hearing to be sung. 
 
 At dinner, and at the concert afterward, MLs 
 Ferris was completely monopolized by the two gentle- 
 men, and I devoted myself to Miss Pauline and her 
 sister. The two young ladies were to spend a month 
 with Miss Ferris, as Mr. Masters was afraid of her be- 
 coming homesick if deprived of all her friends at once. 
 My sister and mother intended going home the next 
 day, much to the disappointment of our kind host, who 
 was never happier than when completely surrounded by 
 company. I only awaited the conclusion of the difficul- 
 ty with the Parkers, feeling more and more convinced 
 of Miss Ferris's growing indifference to me. Her words 
 were pleasant enough, when now and then, for a few 
 minutes at a time, I found an opportunity to converse 
 with her. But the old warmth of manner and childish 
 confidence were gone. She was perfectly polite, but 
 guarded and reticent, as if fearing herself Even with 
 Mr. Masters and his wife, her playful looks and pretty 
 petulance were giving place to a more womanly and 
 quiet style of showing her devotion. I argued that this 
 was a natural and usual alteration, characterizing the
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 151 
 
 change from careless childhood to thoughtful woman- 
 hood. Mr. Masters, if he was conscious of the differ- 
 ence in her, did not mention it. 
 
 I could not help thinking that Miss Pauline was in 
 some way accountable for the change in my once warm- 
 hearted little patient. 
 
 One day I met Harry "Weston in the street, and I 
 fulfilled my promise to him by explaining my curious 
 conduct during his former visit to the city. His aston- 
 ishment was intense, and his congratulations most sin- 
 cere. He also had something pleasant to tell me. He 
 was about to be married to Miss Edith Fullerton, and 
 insisted on my being present at the ceremony. "We 
 strolled down to Mr. Masters' office, and I introduced 
 him to the good old gentleman. The friendship which 
 resulted from their meeting has grown into a warm at- 
 tachment between the two families. 
 
 I renewed my acquaintance with Miss Fullerton 
 that evening, and she expressed a strong desire to meet 
 again the pretty girl who had attracted her attention 
 that memorable day on the island. She heard with 
 astonishment the useful part taken by her shawl and 
 parasol in the proceedings of that afternoon, and did 
 not wonder at my wish to retain them. Miss Ferris 
 remembered the meeting, and was quite anxious to 
 see Miss Fullerton when I told her of my visit the 
 morning after. Several visits between the ladies of the 
 two families took place before Miss Fullerton's mar- 
 riage, and I saw with pleasure that Miss Ferris regarded
 
 152 DK. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 her new friend with feelings of real admiration and love. 
 As Harry "Weston intended spending some months in 
 New York with his bride, I felt more satisfied about 
 leaving it ; the companionship of a sensible, intellectual 
 woman, like Mrs. Weston, could not but have a good 
 effect on Miss Ferris, and might serve to counteract the 
 influence exerted over her by Miss Pauline. From my 
 former knowledge of Mrs. Weston, I felt that she was 
 conscientious, and firm enough to uphold her own con- 
 victions ; I very much doubted Miss Pauline's truthful- 
 ness, and Miss Ferris trusted in her. How far she 
 might venture in order to accomplish what she had un- 
 dertaken, was a question difficult to answer. 
 
 I would not think of poisoning the delicate, sensitive 
 mind with suspicions which I could not prove, and, al- 
 though, as the days went by, I disliked Miss Pauline 
 more and more, I kept my doubts in my own heart. 
 Miss Pauline displayed a tact and a knowledge of strata- 
 gem quite wonderful to me. She was prepared for me 
 at all points, and she worked so quietly and cleverly 
 that no one ever suspected her designs. It was only 
 on looking back, after being thwarted in some pet 
 scheme, and trying to see why I had failed in effecting 
 it, that I could trace her influence in frustrating it. If 
 I purposely remained in the house with the hope of en- 
 joying Miss Ferris's society, there was always some 
 excuse for the young ladies to go out; some shopping 
 had to be done, or a visit must be returned. If I pro- 
 posed a party to a picture-gallery, or a public institu-
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 153 
 
 tion, a severe headache was sure to attack Miss Pauline 
 or her sister. My time hung heavy on my hands, Mr. 
 and Mrs. Parker still remained silent, my mother and 
 sister were home, Harry Weston and his bride were out 
 of town, and Mr. Masters was busy looking after the 
 progress of some of his recent speculations. In the 
 evenings we were sure to be joined by visitors if 
 we remained at home, and if we went out Mr. Claude 
 always made one of the party. 
 
 At last, when my patience was nearly exhausted, 
 Mr. Parker called on Mr. Masters and begged to have 
 a settlement arranged without the necessity of his wife 
 appearing in the affair. Mr. Masters insisted on having 
 the large sums refunded which Mrs. Parker had drawn 
 during her absence in Europe. A considerable delay 
 and many arguments ensued. Mr. Parker threatened 
 to claim possession of Miss Ferris, on the plea that she 
 was not yet of age, and firmly refused to give up his 
 trusteeship of her property. Mr. Masters showed the 
 proofs of her age, and referred to her father's will, 
 which allowed her to make her own selection with re- 
 gard both to the persons she would live with and her 
 choice in marriage. He declared his intention of stand- 
 ing a lawsuit, which would involve a terrible exposure, 
 as far as Mrs. Parker was concerned, rather than with- 
 draw one of his points. How far Mr. Parker had been 
 connected with the plot we could not tell ; there was no 
 positive proof of his knowledge of it whatever. We 
 might suspect him, but we could not charge him with 
 7*
 
 154: DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 complicity in it. Owing to the curious provisions of the 
 will, the business connection between the two trustees 
 could not be dissolved, unless one should resign volun- 
 tarily, and appoint a successor acceptable to the other. 
 The property could not be sold ; the interest alone was 
 to be equally divided between the two legatees, the 
 trustees, of course, having the power to invest it for 
 their benefit. Therefore, as long as they both lived, 
 the two ladies would have an equal amount from the 
 original estate every year, although the value of their 
 separate investments of that amount might vary. 
 Hitherto, Mr. Masters bad made those investments for 
 both parties, and the results had been about equal. 
 He declined, in future, having any thing to do with 
 Mrs. Parker's share, further than was required by the 
 provisions of the will, not wishing to meet that lady 
 under any circumstances. 
 
 I was present at every interview between the two 
 gentlemen, and, although I took no active part in the 
 settlement, I could see that my presence carried its 
 weight with Mr. Parker. Considerations for his wife, 
 against whom I would be a very strong witness, made 
 him agree in the end to Mr. Masters' proposition. The 
 money, amounting to several thousand dollars, was re- 
 turned, and the agreement signed. Mrs. Parker gave 
 up all claims on the custody of Miss Ferris ; and we, on 
 the part of that young lady, promised that no prosecu- 
 tion for past ill-treatment should be undertaken. 
 
 I must confess I felt sorry that Mrs. Parker escaped
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 155 
 
 without any punishment save the loss of some money. 
 Still, on the whole, we had great reasons for being 
 satisfied with the arrangement. When we told the re- 
 sult to the assembled family that evening, Miss Ferris 
 was the least excited of the whole party at what had 
 happened. She only said : 
 
 " I am so happy at present, that I cannot wish any 
 ill to her. Perhaps, too, she is sorry now for what has 
 occurred. *We should try and forget it all." 
 
 " You are too good-natured, Belle, darling," Miss 
 Pauline said, throwing her arms around Miss Ferris, 
 and kissing her. 
 
 " Belle is trying to do right," said Mrs. Masters, in 
 a low tone ; " the rule is, never to remember an injury, 
 nor forget a kindness." 
 
 Miss Ferris colored, and looked a/ her fan. 
 
 " I should like to know who ever kept up to it ? " 
 asked Miss Marie Lecount, smiling. 
 
 "No one," answered her sister; "some remember 
 both the injuries and kindnesses, and some think of the 
 injuries only, because they always make the deepest 
 impression. Others forget both the whole thing is a 
 mere question of memory." 
 
 " Then you doubt the possibility of the rule being 
 practised ? " I remarked. 
 
 " Yes, taken in its literal sense. A memory strong 
 enough to recollect every kindness experienced by its 
 possessor, will surely retain also the impression of an 
 injury received. I think it means this: we can reinem-
 
 15G mi. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 ber the injury, but we must not act upon that recollec- 
 tion by seeking to revenge it." 
 
 " That is the spirit of the law, decidedly," said Mrs. 
 Masters. 
 
 "And it needs a strong will to practise it," re- 
 marked her husband. " A man who can perform it by 
 overcoming himself deserves, in my opinion, a great 
 deal of credit." 
 
 " Yes, much more than one who is kind to those 
 who have wronged him, simply because his memory is 
 too poor to remember in what they offended him. I 
 would not give much for his gratitude for past kind- 
 ness," remarked Mr. Claude Lecount. 
 
 " Nor I either," said his sister Pauline. 
 
 " In that case a poor memory would be the easiest 
 to go through th^ world with, because one wouldn't 
 have to be always fighting against an evil spirit, even 
 if it is good for self-discipline," Miss Ferris said, in a 
 low tone ; " but surely there is something more than 
 mere memory involved in the question. I think the 
 Avhole nature and temperament exert an influence in the 
 matter don't you, Doctor Wilmer ? " 
 
 " Yes, I do," I answered. " I think that some people 
 are more charitable and readier to find excuses for a 
 fault, even when committed against themselves, than 
 others; and by them, of course, forgiveness is more 
 easily exercised than by persons naturally morose and 
 vindictive. The latter class will brood over a thought- 
 less slight, until, to their morbid minds, it becomes a
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 157 
 
 serious injury ; whereas, the very same offence would be 
 either altogether unnoticed, or passed by as totally in- 
 significant, by the former." 
 
 "And do you think that these people, who from 
 their nature can forgive easily, are always grateful for 
 a kindness ? " asked Miss Pauline, giving me a search- 
 ing glance from her magnificent eyes. 
 
 "Most decidedly, from their very generosity and 
 warm-heartedness, they are, if any thing, more likely to 
 magnify a favor, and attribute to it effects of which it is 
 not always the true cause." 
 
 " Such people are very rare. I never met with any 
 of them," said Miss Pauline, smiling rather sneeringly. 
 
 " Which does not prove the fact of their non-exist- 
 ence. They may be the exception to the general rule ; 
 but, remember, that such a character takes time to de- 
 velop itself, and is in danger of being frequently, if not 
 altogether, misunderstood. I have a theory that the 
 finest natures are the least appreciated in this world, 
 because beyond the comprehension of the mass. They 
 seldom meet with kindred spirits capable of satisfying 
 them ; and so their deepest and best emotions remain 
 hidden in their own breasts felt, but unexpressed." 
 
 " Dear me, I should not care to know any so difficult 
 to understand ; I should be forever wounding them un- 
 consciously ; I prefer people who show their true natures 
 on the surface, people that I can read at a glance," said 
 Miss Pauline, taking Miss Fcrris's hand in her own and 
 softly pressing it. Miss Ferris was apparently too much
 
 158 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 interested in the conversation to notice her friend's de- 
 votion. 
 
 " Of course, you practise what you admire so much," 
 I remarked, looking at Miss Pauline. She blushed con- 
 fusedly, and turned away, without replying. 
 
 " What a comical thing it would be if everybody 
 were obliged to say exactly what they thought, and not 
 even allowed to give a wrong impression ! " said Miss 
 Ferris. 
 
 " I know what I think now," said Mrs. Masters, 
 smiling. 
 
 We all looked at her expectantly. 
 
 " Come, Sallie, give us your opinion," said her hus- 
 band. 
 
 " Well, I think the sooner we begin to forget our 
 grievances, and think only of our many blessings, the 
 better. That is what Belle has resolved to do ; and 
 now, if you please, dinner is waiting. Give me your 
 arm, Doctor Wilmer. I think," she added, in a lower 
 tone to me, " that the conversation was becoming un- 
 pleasant to Miss Pauline she seemed annoyed." 
 
 I looked into her face, amused at her shrewdness ; 
 surely this quiet, good-humored little woman saw more 
 than people supposed. 
 
 During the dinner-hour Mr. Claude talked a great 
 deal to Mr. Masters about his own prospects. I sat be- 
 tween the two gentlemen, and, as Mr. Masters constantly 
 turned to me for an opinion, I became quite conversant 
 \vith the business affairs in which Mr. Claude was en-
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 159 
 
 gaged. The gentleman, in whose employment he was, 
 had formerly been a lawyer of some reputation, and still 
 devoted a part of his time and talents to his legitimate 
 profession. Latterly, he had been operating in stocks 
 to a large extent ; and, according to his young clerk's 
 opinion, was rapidly amassing a fortune. 
 
 " He is about entering into a new speculation," 
 went on Mr. Claude. The topic under discussion by 
 the ladies having become exhausted at this juncture, 
 they all turned their attention to Mr. Claude's conver- 
 sation. 
 
 " What is it ? " inquired Mr. Masters ; " does it 
 promise to pay well any chance of a dividend within 
 ten years ? " 
 
 " Oh, yes ! the expenses are not heavy ; after a few 
 months they expect to pay seven per cent. I wish you 
 could meet the gentleman who knows all about the 
 quarry." 
 
 " Oh ! it's a quarry, is it ? " answered Mr. Masters, 
 with a dubious smile. " Where is it ? " 
 
 " Down South somewhere. Soapstone." 
 
 " Soapstone ! " repeated Mr. Masters. " Well, what 
 do they propose doing with it ? " 
 
 " Oh, quantities of useful articles can be manufac- 
 tured from it slate-pencils, griddles " 
 
 " Griddles ! " echoed Mrs. Masters. " Well, that is 
 something new. I should prefer an iron one." 
 
 " These that we propose making will be much bet- 
 ter. Owing to the greasy nature of the stone, no butter
 
 160 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 will be required in the baking, and the cakes will be 
 much healthier." 
 
 " Well, they find out something new every day," 
 said Mrs. Masters with a sigh. " The world will soon 
 be too learned for me." 
 
 " Mr. Walker is to be president, and Mr. Parker 
 treasurer. 
 
 " What Parker is that ? " asked Mr. Masters, be- 
 coming suddenly interested. 
 
 " The same one that was here the other night," an- 
 swered Mr. Claude. 
 
 " I gave Parker credit for more wisdom," Mr. Mas- 
 ters said, slowly ; " although I remember that at one 
 time he was interested in a coal-mine. Well, he is 
 shrewd ; there may be something in it worth the ven- 
 ture. I hope you don't intend to invest. A young fel- 
 low like you had better put his money where he is sure 
 of finding it when he needs it." 
 
 Mr. Claude colored. 
 
 " As yet," he answered, " I have nothing to invest. 
 Mr. Walker has been kind enough to propose me for 
 secretary ; and he offered, yesterday, to give me an in- 
 terest in the firm after January." 
 
 " What kind of a person is this that you say knows 
 all about the quarry ? What is his name ? " 
 
 " Hammond S. Y. Hammond he signs himself, per- 
 haps you know him. He is a tall, elegant-looking man, 
 well educated, and knows all the first people in the 
 country intimately. You can't mention a subject that
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 161 
 
 he is not thoroughly at home upon, and his manners are 
 perfect." 
 
 " Is he a New-Yorker ? " asked Mr. Masters, thought- 
 fully, as if trying to bring the name to his recollection. 
 
 " No, he is a Western man. He stops at the Metro- 
 politan at present." 
 
 " As a general thing, I don't much like these stran- 
 gers who stop at hotels, and are concerned in specu- 
 lations. There's a lack of solidity about them that is 
 rather doubtful. They are here to-day, and off, no one 
 knows where, to-morrow. If you have any influence 
 with Mr. Walker, I should advise you to speak to him. 
 Tell him to think seriously on the matter before under- 
 taking it. It is rather an expensive affair to put in 
 operation without due foresight." 
 
 " The company is already pretty well established. 
 The first meeting of the shareholders is called for to- 
 morrow, and Mr. Walker expects the work to be com- 
 menced in a few weeks." 
 
 Mr. Claude Lecount was evidently very much im- 
 pressed with the beauties of speculation ; and, after our 
 return to the parlor, he entered into an explanation of 
 how such matters were conducted, for the benefit of 
 Miss Ferris, who hitherto had been in blissful ignorance 
 of their existence. I saw that Mr. Masters viewed his 
 new ideas with distrust, and felt uneasy about the in- 
 fatuation which had taken such hold upon his thoughts. 
 He talked on about the wonderful luck that some men 
 had. One gentleman was driving his own horses, who,
 
 162 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 two years before, was not worth a hundred dollars. 
 Another, the president of a mining company in South 
 America, was building a magnificent country-seat on 
 the Hudson, after plans sent to him by his family from 
 Europe, where they were then travelling. Ten years 
 before, he had been going about the city living on his 
 wits, or, as Mr. Dickens has it, " the absence of wit in 
 others." Mr. Masters shook his head, and argued the 
 instability of a fortune made in such ways. He con- 
 sidered that it only rendered men careless ; that money 
 so easily acquired was never properly valued, and was 
 very likely to be squandered even more rapidly than it 
 had been gained. These arguments had no effect on 
 Mr. Claude Lecount. He met them with the specious 
 ones so artfully dwelt upon by the head movers of the 
 speculation. His mind was evidently made up, and he 
 no doubt considered Mr. Masters as being rather behind 
 the age. He pitied him for his willingness to plod along 
 in the old beaten track, when fortunes were to be made 
 in a day by the exertion of mere shrewdness or cunning, 
 instead of being acquired only after a lifetime of steady, 
 honest toil. 
 
 As it was my last evening, I determined, if possible, 
 to reach the cause of Miss Ferris's coolness toward me ; 
 and with that intention I drew my seat near to hers, 
 and led the conversation to my proposed removal from 
 Buffalo and establishment in my native town. She ap- 
 peared interested, but there was no visible return to the 
 old manner. The presence of Miss Pauline seemed to
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 163 
 
 cast a spell over us. I felt tbat she was constrained, 
 and I was sure of my own lack of self-confidence. 
 
 " Belle, will you try this air from ' Ernani ? ' " asked 
 Mr. Claude, approaching us. 
 
 Miss Ferris blushed ; and, murmuring an assent, 
 rose and went to the piano. 
 
 He detained her at it, going over old songs and try- 
 ing new ones for some time. I strolled into the library, 
 threw myself into an arm-chair, and gave up to the 
 jealous despair that had seized upon me. I had not 
 only to lose all hope of gaining her love even her girl- 
 ish friendship and her trust in me had been undermined 
 and destroyed. And yet what a contradiction of what 
 I had once supposed her true character to be ! Could 
 this quiet, dignified, self-controlled Miss Ferris, who 
 weighed her words before speaking, as if afraid of com- 
 mitting herself, be indeed the warm-hearted, impulsive 
 child who had once thrown herself into my arms, and 
 wept with joy on seeing me ? Should I ever forget that 
 day, or the light that shone in every feature of her face 
 when her eyes met mine ? Could I not yet feel the clasp 
 of her hand on my arm, and hear the low, appealing 
 tones of her voice ? Had she not, but a few short weeks 
 ago, fled to me for protection when frightened, although 
 her lover stood at her side ? Was it possible that we 
 were all wearing masks, hiding our true sentiments, liv- 
 ing in a state of cold constraint and studied indiffer- 
 ence ? Were we unconsciously bringing on ourselves 
 a future of misery and vain regrets ? Was I wrong in
 
 164: DR. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 my determination not to possess a love given in grati- 
 tude ? "Was I really insuring her happiness by trampling 
 on my own heart, and crushing its love and hope ? 
 
 I asked myself these questions over and over again, 
 each time becoming less satisfied with my own conduct. 
 Under an impulse, sudden as it was strange, I wrote my 
 sentiments, described all my feelings toward her from 
 the first time I saw her by that strange deathbed, until 
 that very night when I left her at the piano with one 
 whose claims I dared to question. I told her all my 
 doubts, explained my silence, and the motives that had 
 caused it. I said that I would not be satisfied with a 
 love springing from gratitude ; that if for a moment she 
 doubted her feelings for me, independent of all that had 
 passed before her meeting with Mr. Lecount, that doubt 
 must decide my answer. I begged of her to think well 
 before she decided, to remember the difference in our 
 years and means. I urged no claim ; I only told her 
 that I loved her, not for her beauty, not for her youth, 
 but for the mysterious, indescribable quality which she 
 alone possessed of all the women whom I had ever met 
 that strange power, in which heart and intellect are 
 united that capability of comprehending one intuitive- 
 ly, of understanding one's thoughts and wishes, even 
 when unexpressed, owing to that quick innate percep- 
 tion which unites, in secret, sympathetic hearts and 
 minds. I arranged that, if she decided against me, her 
 silence would be understood ; if, on the contrary, she 
 felt that I might hope, I should expect a letter, if it only
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 165 
 
 contained one word. By this plan I would spare her 
 the pain of writing a refusal. 
 
 Having sealed my letter with a ring on which my 
 initials were engraved, and directed it, I debated how 
 to convey it to her. Her book, which she had been 
 reading before we went to dinner, was lying on the 
 table near me, with its pretty mark in the place where 
 she had left off. I remembered seeing her arrange it 
 and close the book as we came in. I opened it and put 
 my letter beside the mark, on which the words " Re- 
 member me," worked in gold beads, and " Pauline," in 
 smaller letters of crimson silk, caught my attention. 
 She haunts me, I thought, as I closed the book and re- 
 turned it to its place. 
 
 When I went back to the parlor the ladies had retired, 
 and Mr. Claude was gone away. Mr. Masters was stand- 
 ing near the window in deep thought. He had turned 
 out all but one jet, and started, as I approached him, in 
 the dim light. 
 
 " Oh, Doctor Wilmer, it is you ! " he exclaimed, re- 
 assured. " I was just thinking over all Mr. Lecount 
 said about that new quarry speculation. What a hold 
 it has taken on him ; I feel sorry for it. His profession is 
 a good one if properly followed ; but it seems to be irk- 
 some to him already. He wants to make money quickly, 
 and is impatient of any thing that demands time and 
 labor. However, he is young, and may see the folly of 
 the thing after a while. He has nothing to lose, and 
 arguments are thrown away upon him. This flinging
 
 1G6 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 away the substance and grasping at the shadow is the 
 common disease at present ; all the young men are in- 
 fected with it. You won't find one in a hundred willing 
 to do what his father did before him ; work for the lux- 
 uries of life, and attain them in his old age by denying 
 himself in his youth. He must have them at once, while, 
 as he says, he is young and can enjoy them. That is all 
 very well in its way, provided he has the money and 
 can honestly afford to spend it. The trouble is, that not 
 one young man in a hundred, or I may say a thousand, 
 possesses the means of gratifying his luxurious tastes con- 
 scientiously, and so, as soon as he saves a little money, 
 he begins to speculate. If he succeeds, every one he 
 knows follows his example ; and the result is, that hard 
 work is at a discount, and speculation on the increase." 
 
 " A poor prospect for the country," I remarked. 
 
 " Oh, it will all end in a grand crash ! Somebody 
 must furnish the money that these presidents, directors, 
 and treasurers are squandering ; for I am very sure that 
 the investments themselves have not realized it as yet. 
 The shareholders will all be ruined not because the 
 speculations are bad, but because their money is mis- 
 used. Instead of working these mines and quarries 
 with it, and thus giving employment to hundreds, it 
 goes toward buying houses, furniture, and fast horses 
 for the heads of the companies. The sight of all this 
 style and magnificence is enough to turn the head of a 
 young fellow like Lecount. He thinks he can do the 
 same."
 
 AN UNEXPECTED GUEST. 167 
 
 " You don't think he will succeed," I remarked, 
 hardly knowing what to say. 
 
 " I do not. He is not shrewd enough for the busi- 
 ness. He might become a very good lawyer, and I 
 think his own good sense will show him the wisdom of 
 applying himself to his profession. It is one of the best 
 in the country, I am sorry to say ; but then, as long as 
 people will go to law about trifles, lawyers will fill their 
 own pockets. I learned by experience, years ago, that 
 the majority of lawsuits help only the lawyers who 
 carry on the case. I am afraid this connection with 
 Walker will injure him very much. Walker is one of 
 your sharp speculators. He always manages to take 
 care of himself, but I don't think his partners usually 
 fare as well. He will excite Lecount with his descrip- 
 tions of mone^, and of how easily it is made, although 
 I don't think he would be very willing to enter into the 
 details of the transactions. Such men are nuisances in 
 a community. They upset a man's principles, his stand- 
 ard of honesty becomes gradually lowered, and his ideas 
 of right and wrong grow confused, owing to their crafty 
 arguments and specious excuses. Their offices are more 
 to be feared than the gambling-saloons. A man goes 
 into a regular gaming-house with his eyes open, and 
 knowing what he is doing ; he enters blindfold into 
 speculations, without the slightest idea of what they 
 are leading him to." 
 
 I felt that Mr. Masters was fretting for Mr. Lccount's 
 future, believing that he would endanger the comfort
 
 168 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 and fortune of his wife ; and certainly, if Miss Ferris 
 were to occupy that position, the old gentleman's anx- 
 iety for his darling's happiness was not unfounded. I 
 did not dare to give an opinion on Mr. Lecount, as my 
 knowledge of that gentleman amounted to very little, 
 and I could hardly be considered an impartial judge.
 
 CHAPTER YIL 
 
 DEFEAT. 
 
 THE next morning I took my leave of the family. 
 They were all assembled in the parlor, and I found no 
 opportunity of speaking to Miss Ferris apart from the 
 others. I felt sure that my letter would be in her hands 
 before many hours, and I knew that it would explain 
 every thing that might have seemed strange in my man- 
 ner and conduct toward her. She bade me good-by in a 
 nervous, timid way, and in a voice so low, that I could 
 hardly catch the words. Miss Pauline, on the contrary, 
 overwhelmed me with expressions of regret at my de- 
 parture, and with hopes of my safe arrival at home. 
 They followed me out to the door, and when I reached 
 the corner I turned to take another look at them. Mrs. 
 Masters and the two sisters were bending over a vine 
 that twined on the balcony, quite forgetful of me. 
 Miss Ferris was looking after me, her hand shading her 
 eyes from the sun, that shone full on her slight figure 
 and pretty hair. How often did that picture come be- 
 fore my eyes in after-years, the graceful form, the small 
 upraised hand, and the curls, gleaming like gold in the 
 8
 
 170 DK. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 sun's rays, that fell round her neck ! As I raised my 
 hat, our eyes met, and for a moment one of the old 
 smiles lit up her face. Then she kissed her hand to 
 Mr. Masters, who accompanied me, and shook her head 
 at him as she turned to enter the house. But the smile 
 was mine, and for months the recollection of it made me 
 happy. I regarded it as a ray of hope, and when most 
 despairing it comforted me. Once at home, my business 
 negotiations employed a great portion of my time and 
 thoughts. "Week after week went by, until at last I 
 was ready to leave Buffalo. Nothing but the certainty 
 that I was making my mother and sister happy could 
 have recompensed me for what I was about to do. In 
 ten years I had formed many pleasant friendships, and 
 my prosperity had attached me to the city. I had none 
 but happy recollections to carry away with me, and I 
 left my position with regret. Mrs. Marks, my faithful 
 housekeeper during my residence there, was to remain 
 with my successor ; the only living thing that I took 
 away with me was my friend Dash, an immense New- 
 foundland dog, that I had owned for some years. It 
 had been given me when a mere puppy, by a little boy 
 whom I had attended in a long sickness. 
 
 The boy was away at school when I left Buffalo. 
 We had become great friends after his recovery, and 3 
 valued the dog for his sake as much as for its own. My 
 mother was amused when I presented my travelling 
 companion to her, and rather frightened when he placed 
 
 one of his huge fore-paws on her lap, and offered her the 
 
 i
 
 DEFEAT. 171 
 
 other to shake. However, his honest eyes reassured 
 her, and in spite of the resentment at his intrusion ex- 
 hibited by her Maltese cat, and his immense size and 
 voracious appetite, he soon became a general favorite. 
 
 My mother had fitted up a room for me, on the door 
 of which the word u Office," in large letters, attracted 
 my notice. The report of my intention to establish my- 
 self in the place had spread over the town, and before 
 many days were over it was as much as I could do to 
 attend to the calls I received. Every case that had 
 baffled the skill of the two doctors belonging to the 
 place was at once put in my hands, and I was fortunate 
 enough to treat many of them successfully. I found 
 myself fully established, and quite famous in a very 
 short time, much to my own astonishment ; but then I 
 had my reputation made before going there, and was 
 comfortably off besides. People concluded that I could 
 afford to give an honest opinion, and some sound advice, 
 very often far more needed than medicine. 
 
 Meanwhile, how did matters progress outside of my 
 professional labors ? As the days passed by, and no let- 
 ter reached me, I was alternately hopeful and despair- 
 ing. My arguments for and against myself varied with 
 my temper, and the struggle still continued. I corre- 
 sponded with Mr. Masters, and my sister received letters 
 regularly from her old pupil. Miss Pauline had been 
 home while I was still in Buffalo, but when I reached 
 my mother's house, she was gone back to New York to 
 spend the winter with Miss Ferris. Mr. Claude's visits
 
 172 DE. WILMEB'B LOVE. 
 
 to his home had ceased, but he wrote every week. Ac- 
 cording to all accounts, they were enjoying themselves 
 beyond description. Balls, parties, concerts, and the 
 opera, monopolized the attention of the two yoiing 
 ladies. They were rival belles, the difference in their 
 styles preventing jealousy. Mr. Claude's letters, the 
 substance of them being always communicated to my 
 sister by his admiring mother, were filled with glowing 
 descriptions of the beauty of Miss Ferris, her talents, 
 the admiration called forth by them, the wonders of her 
 toilets, and the attention she received. Miss Ferns 
 wrote more about her friend than about herself; either 
 shd was not inclined to be confidential, or my sister was 
 not the one to whom she would express her deeper 
 feelings. 
 
 I had called once or twice on Mrs. Lecopnt with 
 my sister, and had been most warmly received by the 
 family. As their conversation was principally on the 
 subject that engrossed the greater part of my thoughts, 
 I listened to it eagerly, as it gave me a good idea of 
 how Miss Ferris passed her time. One morning I was 
 present at the arrival of a packet of letters and papers, 
 which called forth various comments. 
 
 "Pauline says that she never saw such a girl. It is 
 as much as they can do to make her accept invitations," 
 began Miss Marie, referring to the open letter in her hand. 
 
 " That is curious," said my sister. " To judge from 
 the number of places she goes to, I should think she 
 must be perfectly in love with society."
 
 DEFEAT. 173 
 
 " Well, no," answered Mrs. Lecount. " Pauline has 
 complained of her dislike to fashionable amusements all 
 alon^. She thinks that Belle enters into them more to 
 
 O 
 
 please her guardian than herself. I am sure that at 
 home here she thought more of flowers and books than 
 of any thing else. Pauline says that she likes to read, 
 and would never pay a visit but for her." 
 
 " I always thought that Belle's tastes were domestic," 
 said my sister ; " but of course her life here was neces- 
 sarily a quiet one, and a person could hardly form a 
 correct opinion of her. Society has charms for all young 
 people, and she must resemble other girls more or less." 
 
 "According to Pauline," remarked Miss Marie, " she 
 does not care for the attention of gentlemen. She 
 avoids them as much as possible, and gives them no en- 
 couragAent." 
 
 " That is very easily accounted for. Belle is not a 
 flirt. She finds no pleasure in giving others pain by in- 
 spiring sentiments which she feels she cannot return," 
 answered Mrs. Lecount, in a significant tone, and with a 
 meaning glance at her daughter. 
 
 My sister looked conscious. " Belle is truly honor- 
 able," she said. 
 
 I remember that visit so perfectly ! It was a cold, 
 wintry day. The snow lay deep on the ground, daz- 
 zling our eyes with its brilliant ^yhitenes8 in the sun's 
 rays. I had driven my sister over in a sleigh, and she 
 intended riding around with me to the different places 
 where I had to make calls. She often accompanied mo 
 
 M
 
 174 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 in this way, sometimes leaving the sleigh to warm her 
 feet, but generally remaining in it, wrapped up in the 
 robes, while I paid my short visits. As we drove up 
 the long avenue leading to Mrs. Lecount's, I noticed the 
 house and grounds particularly, and the aspect of decay 
 hanging over every thing struck me more forcibly than 
 ever. 
 
 The green foliage of the vines, that served to cover 
 the house in summer, besides adding to its picturesque- 
 ness, had all disappeared, and nothing remained of them 
 but the lifeless branches that shook and rustled in the 
 wintry wind. The sunbeams, as if in revenge for being 
 
 shut out during the warm weather, now darted in and out 
 
 / 
 unchecked, bringing to light the broken chimneys, the 
 
 dilapidated shutters, and the general need of paint and 
 new wood. I found myself thinking that M^Claude 
 might better invest his spare money in the old home- 
 stead, thereby making it comfortable for his parents and 
 sisters, than sink it in a soapstone quarry. However, 
 he was a business man, and I was a doctor. 
 
 Several times after we left the house my sister rallied 
 me on my silence, and tried in vain to engage my atten- 
 tion on the subject uppermost in her mind the visible 
 lack of means in the Lecounts' home. My thoughts 
 were so filled with Mrs. Lecount's little speech, that I 
 heard my sister's words without answering them. 
 
 " I wonder," she went on, " why Claude is not able 
 to assist them more. Before he left home, his mother 
 anticipated great things from his settling in New York.
 
 DEFEAT. 175 
 
 So far, his departure has not benefited her much. She 
 tells me now that it takes a great deal of money to sup- 
 port a young man in such a large city, and particularly 
 where it is necessary for him to go into society con- 
 stantly. She herself had no idea of the expenses it in- 
 volves, but she says that it is absolutely essential to 
 his future success, and she will deny herself and the 
 girls rather than let him want for the least luxury. It 
 is a pity about Marie. She is so fond of gayety, but as 
 it is impossible to dress the two sisters for a winter in 
 New York, and as Pauline is the most brilliant and 
 beautiful, Marie gives way to her, and remains at home 
 buried, you may say, for her accomplishments are en- 
 tirely thrown away here." 
 
 " Miss Pauline dressed expensively while I was in 
 New "X^k," I ventured to remark. 
 
 "Yes, I know, but Mrs. Masters is continually 
 making her the richest presents, out of gratitude for her 
 kindness to Belle, and here at home they practise the 
 closest economy, so that she may queen it in New York 
 this winter." 
 
 My sister woke me out of a reverie by shaking my 
 arm, and exclaiming . 
 
 " John, I wish you would take it into your wise 
 head to fall in love with Pauline. I have often felt sure 
 that she rather fancied you, and mother and I would 
 both be pleased with your choice." 
 
 " So, after giving up Buffalo, and all its attractions 
 for the sake of being near you, no sooner am I settled,
 
 176 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 than you form a plan to got rid of me again. Pray, is 
 the office disagreeable, or the smell of drugs, or do you 
 object to the appearance of my poor patients ? " 
 
 "Now, John, do be serious for a moment," she went 
 on, little thinking what a very disappointed companion 
 she had, or how forced was his pleasantry. " You know 
 mother and I cannot live forever, and your happiness is 
 something to us, especially when we consider what you 
 have done to secure ours. I can think of nothing more 
 delightful than for you to be happily married and set- 
 tled here beside us ; if the house should, indeed, prove 
 too small for your mother and wife together, you 
 know, we will make every concession a wife has the 
 first claim." 
 
 " Yes, I know, but I think it would be hard in me 
 to put your amiability to such a test, for I ca^ assure 
 you that there is no house in the county large enough 
 to contain my mother and Miss Pauline as my wife. So 
 put all ideas of that connection out of your head." 
 
 " Why, John, what has poor Pauline done to you ? 
 You are prejudiced against her." 
 
 " Who was there to prejudice me against her ? 
 Sister, she is universally admired." 
 
 " Well, then, what is the trouble ? " 
 
 " Simply this I don't fancy her at all," I answered. 
 
 " I am sure you could not find a more beautiful girl, 
 and her accomplishments are endless. Then her man- 
 ners are perfection, and a graceful hostess is a fine ad- 
 dition to a doctor's house."
 
 DEFEAT. 177 
 
 My sister took my hand and pressed it in her own 
 for a few moments, as if collecting courage to say 
 something still stronger, as an argument. Presently 
 she commenced again : 
 
 " John, sometimes when I sit looking at you, I feel 
 very unhappy. I begin to think that, after all, we have 
 caused the sacrifice of your happiness. When you were 
 young you had to struggle for yourself, that was well 
 enough ; but as soon as you were able, you asked me to 
 give up the school, and trust to you for the means to 
 furnish mother with the luxuries it secured to her. I 
 know that you argued mother's failing health, but I can 
 see now that you thought of my strength, and need of 
 rest. Do not be angry with ine if I tell you that, on 
 looking back, I think I can see where my own faults 
 were, i should never have given up my independence 
 unless forced to do so by circumstances. In doing so I 
 became a burden on you, and the effects of it are visible 
 now. In your unselfishness you deprived yourself of the 
 means of marrying, and gradually overcame your own 
 wishes and hopes. After all, John, it is false pride for a 
 sister not to work because her brother can support her." 
 
 I kissed away my sister's tears and lifted her head 
 that I might look into her honest, fearless eyes. 
 
 " Sister," I said, " believe me, when I tell you that, 
 as far as money is concerned, I might have married six 
 years ago. Other circumstances, beyond the control of 
 means and position, have influenced me. Can you not 
 trust me that this is so ? ' : 
 8*
 
 178 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 " Yes, John, but only for us you might have mar- 
 
 | 
 
 ried twelve years ago. Do not try to convince me 
 that we have had no effect upon your life. If only I 
 might see you with children round you, loving and 
 happy, and a wife so devoted to you, that she might 
 make up to you, with her love, for all the struggles of 
 your early life, I should die much easier, feeling that 
 the mischief was repaired, and your life not altogether 
 wasted." 
 
 "And yet I was instrumental in saving Arabella 
 Ferris," I murmured, almost unconsciously. 
 
 "Yes, John, but she was a mere child, and you 
 saved her for another. Even her old gratitude and 
 devotion are fast disappearing they are completely 
 replaced by her love for Claude Lecount." 
 
 I made no reply to my sister's last observation, not 
 being able to command myself sufficiently. I turned to 
 arrange the robes, that she might not see my face, and 
 stopped gladly at the gate of a house where I was ex- 
 pected. The conversation was not renewed between us 
 after I rejoined my sister; she probably thought that it 
 was distasteful to me. It did give rise to a train of 
 thoughts that led me to ask myself the question, " What 
 am I living for?" I had accomplished the objects that 
 I had set before me when starting in life. I had suc- 
 ceeded in my profession, and through that 'success had 
 become able to provide liberally for my mother and 
 sister. My work was no longer necessary to them. If 
 I were to die, they could only miss my love and com-
 
 DEFEAT. 179 
 
 panionship, but such a possibility had never entered 
 their minds. On searching deeper, I realized that my 
 love for Miss Ferris had been for many years the domi- 
 nant feeling, influencing all my thoughts and actions. 
 If my hopes of possessing her were destined to be shat- 
 tered, then I must set before me another object, capable 
 of demanding all my talents and energies for its attain- 
 ment. I must confess, however, that I did not allow 
 my mind to dwell on the possibility of such a necessity 
 occurring. I am afraid that I was too fond of picturing 
 to myself a visionary home, in which Miss Ferris was 
 the central object, with all its sweetest attractions and 
 highest influences springing from her presence in it. 
 To such a home I should never weary of returning. 
 Its peace and brightness would dispel my anxiety or 
 gloominess of mind caused by the labors of the day; its 
 love would serve to increase that spirit of charity which 
 a doctor should possess iu a high degree. 
 
 To a man possessed of a deep mind and extended 
 views of life, added to a warm heart and quick feelings, 
 there is something most satisfactory in the practice of 
 medicine. He gains an insight into human nature such 
 as no other calling can afford. He sees people as they 
 are, not as they seem to be. -In sickness, the mask, 
 worn for the world, is for the time cast aside, the phy- 
 sician reads the true character of the person before him. 
 If, at times, he is disheartened and appalled by the 
 miseries and suffering of mind and body disclosed to 
 him, he 'is, at others, softened and overcome by the ex-
 
 180 DII. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 hibition of all those higher and holier affections, closely 
 concealed from the outside observer, but revealed to 
 him almost unconsciously when called forth by sorrow 
 or death. If he speak the word that deals despair and 
 agony that cannot be expressed, does he not also whis- 
 per of hope and recovery ? Will not the heart-felt grasp 
 of the patient's hand, and the smiles that denote the 
 gratitude too deep for words, of an anxious family, 
 recompense him for the broken rest, the exhausted 
 strength, and the weary, throbbing brain ? Surely there 
 is something noble in the spending of one's self, that 
 another may reap the benefit and rejoice. 
 
 I rode home one evening, feeling very tired and very 
 happy, having just relieved the fears of a mother for her 
 only child. I had been attending the boy for hours, 
 and the cool fresh air was very welcome to my aching 
 head after the heated atmosphere of the sick-room. It 
 was near the end of March, and- 1 remembered with 
 pleasure that the gay season was over in New York, 
 and indulged myself in the hope that with the spring- 
 flowers would come Miss Ferris to enjoy country air 
 and scenery. As I passed Mrs. Lecount's, I noticed a 
 boy wheeling a barrow, on which a trunk was placed, 
 up the path toward the house ; but without paying any 
 attention to the circumstance I rode on, while the air- 
 castle I was building assumed immense proportions. 
 
 My sister was seated near the parlor window, and 
 as that fact generally denoted company, I went into the 
 sitting-room and threw myself into an arm-chair for a
 
 DEFEAT. 181 
 
 short rest. A moment or so afterward the hall door 
 was shut, and my sister followed me and stood in front 
 of my chair, her eyes on my face. 
 
 "What do you think I have to tell you? John, 
 guess the news ; but then you would never think of it, 
 although it don't surprise me. Pauline is just gone, and 
 Belle is going to be married in a few months , Claude 
 has won her in spite of all " 
 
 My sister suddenly stopped, and threw her arms 
 around my neck. My face had told its own tale my 
 secret was mine no longer. 
 
 " Oh ! John, John, my own dear brother," she sobbed, 
 " that I should hare told you this, that I should help to 
 break your heart ! How blind I have been ! Oh ! John, 
 John," and she kissed and petted me, and smoothed the 
 hair from my face, and tried to comfort me. 
 
 " Never speak of this again," I said, when I could 
 command my voice. . 
 
 She promised, and then kindly left me. For a few 
 minutes I felt stunned ; I began to realize how much I 
 had hoped for, and counted upon in spite of all argu- 
 ments and appearances to the contrary. Had I not been 
 deceiving myself for months, refusing to accept the evi- 
 dence of her indifference to me, which I had agreed 
 upon, and proposed myself. Truly, I had none to blame 
 but myself for the bitterness of the pain caused by this 
 sudden announcement. Still the' blow was all the 
 heavier, and, as I walked up and down the room, I felt a 
 strong desire to go away by myself, among new scenes
 
 182 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 and interests, where I might overcome by degrees the 
 passion in which henceforth it would be wicked to in- 
 dulge if I could but go, without the cause of my sud- 
 den departure being suspected by any one, save my 
 sister. I feared Miss Pauline ; my pride was great, even 
 though it had just received that terrible check. If I 
 made no delay, my absence might not excite suspicion. 
 To remain where I was, and hear all the discussions 
 which would naturally follow the report of her engage- 
 ment ; to be invited to her wedding, and to be obliged 
 to attend it, with bright smiles on my face, congratula- 
 tions on my lips, and with an aching heart the mere 
 thought was insupportable ; I trembled at the vision it 
 brought before my mind. I resolved to come to a de- 
 cision at once, while pride was sustaining me, otherwise 
 I feared the actions that blinded passion might attempt. 
 For years I had been comparing the workings of the 
 two systems of medicine, allopathic and homoeopathic. 
 I had been trained in the old school, and had imbibed 
 all the prejudices felt by its faculties against the argu- 
 ments advanced by the new school of practitioners- 
 Practical experience at length convinced me that my 
 prejudices were wrong, and that a reform was not only 
 needed, but was actually going on, quietly but surely, 
 among the more enlightened members of the old system. 
 Without acknowledging it a thing they were unwill- 
 ing to do, because men in the majority don't like to own 
 that they are in error, and blind to reason they were 
 mollifying their treatment and questioning its laws. I 

 
 DEFEAT. 183 
 
 was often astonished at the obstinacy exhibited by some 
 of the old practitioners, and their adherence to ideas 
 long since abandoned by even the advocates of their 
 o\vn system. They spoke in glowing terms of the ad- 
 vances made of late years in the various arts and 
 sciences with which they had nothing whatever to do ; 
 but it was totally impossible to convince them that the 
 science of medicine was capable of improvement. As 
 they had learned it they practised it, and argued that 
 the mode of treatment which had sufficed human nature 
 thirty or forty years ago was quite good enough for the 
 human nature of the present day. In many cases they, 
 when called to attend a consultation, either thwarted or 
 completely stopped, by their narrow-minded opinions, 
 the efforts of a younger and more progressive colleague, 
 I had once been called to consult on a case of this 
 kind, and the barbarity of the treatment had taught me 
 a lesson never to be forgotten. The patient was a mid- 
 dle-aged man, naturally healthy, not inclined to con- 
 sumption, and not suffering from any chronic disease. 
 He was a singer, and, as far as I could learn, of an easy 
 temperament, not excitable or irritable, and possessed 
 of a patient, gentle, uncomplaining disposition. Re- 
 turning home one afternoon from a long rehearsal, he 
 was caught in a heavy shower, and contracted a cold 
 which at once settled on his lungs. One of thesa no.n- 
 progressive practitioners was called in. He was ac- 
 cu-tomed to working in the old beaten track, without 
 glancing aside to the right or left ; and merely consider-
 
 184 DK. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 ing the case, which he named congestion of the lungs, 
 and without giving a thought to the other conditions of 
 the patient's constitution, which had been weakened by 
 excessive practice, he ordered the most severe remedies. 
 
 When I was summoned, the patient was sinking 
 rapidly. Deprived of the strength with which to battle 
 against the disease, from the effect of successive cup- 
 ping, bleeding, and leeching, and denied all nourish- 
 ment that would support the system, he was then past 
 hope reduced to this pitiable condition by the prac- 
 tice of that very science which professed to relieve suf- 
 fering, not to increase it ! 
 
 For the first time in my life I felt disgusted with the 
 profession that could countenance such a barbarous 
 proceeding. In the eyes of the law, and of the medi- 
 cal fraternity, this doctor stood clear of all guilt. He 
 had obeyed the rules prescribed by the books, out of 
 which he had learned all he knew of medicine. Those 
 books were his authority ; he followed them mechani- 
 cally. Others might imbibe new-fashioned theories, and 
 use the gifts bestowed on them by Providence, in com- 
 bining practical experience with the knowledge gained 
 by reading ; such ideas were to him and to all like him 
 perfectly ridiculous. He practised medicine, as he had 
 studied it, by routine. His heart and mind had nothing 
 to do with his profession ; it was a mere machine, which, 
 when worked, brought him in his daily bread. He had 
 spent some years acquiring the little he knew of it ; if 
 that little would carry him through the world, he was
 
 DEFEAT. 185 
 
 satisfied. His diploma gained, he was no longer a stu- 
 dent ; his business from henceforth was to exercise what 
 he had learned to the best advantage, without adding 
 to his own stock of knowledge. The experience of to- 
 day taught him no lesson for to-morrow. In a word, 
 he had mistaken his vocation. There are many through- 
 out the world in the same predicament ; they are to be 
 found among all trades and callings ; but in the med- 
 ical profession they are to be most feared, because in 
 that they are permitted to injure their fellow-beings 
 with perfect impunity. 
 
 This case, which, in my opinion, was licensed mur- 
 der, filled me with a desire to know more of the system 
 which insists that a patient requires all his strength to 
 battle with disease, and ignores depletion except in ex- 
 traordinary cases. I knew that the European hospitals, 
 where it was allowed to be exercised, would afford the 
 best opportunities for an extended insight into its work- 
 ings. I might judge for myself in testing the disad- 
 vantages that I had heard urged against it. 
 
 I had come to a conclusion when the tea-bell rang, 
 and no sooner was the meal over than I electrified my 
 mother and startled my sister by announcing that I was 
 going to Europe. As my sister understood me, she of- 
 fered no opposition, and rather sided with me, though 
 quietly, so as not to excite suspicion, as I met and over- 
 threw my mother's arguments against my proposed trip. 
 
 " As if it were necessary for you to study homoeo- 
 pathy in a French hospital, John, you who have been
 
 186 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 so successful already ! If you have new theories, why 
 not put them in practice here at home ? " 
 
 " Because iny theories reduced to practice would be 
 called experiments. I may find them in successful oper- 
 ation where I propose going." 
 
 " And what will become of us ? Just as we were 
 beginning to feel happy, and, as it were, settled for 
 years ! " 
 
 "Oh, mother!" broke in my sister, "only begin- 
 ning ? Surely, we have been happy all our life." 
 
 " Mother, you can pack up, let the house, and see 
 if there is not something to interest you and sister in 
 the Old World." 
 
 " What ! at my time of life ? " screamed my mother. 
 " No, no, John ; we will stay home and keep the fire on 
 the hearth for you. I think you will soon grow tired 
 of your wanderings in search of theories." 
 
 " John has the theories with him," said my sister ; 
 " he wants to see them carried into practice." 
 
 " Well, well, theory or practice, they're all the same 
 to me when they take my boy from me, that I reckoned 
 on keeping beside me all my life. What will Mr. Mas- 
 ters say, and our little Belle ? Pauline says they are 
 arranging the marriage already." 
 
 My sister looked at me sorrowfully. 
 
 " Are they ? " I managed to murmur, with a glance 
 at her that forbade interruption. 
 
 " Yes ; it will be a very grand affair. Six brides- 
 maids Pauline and Marie amonsc them. WHite and
 
 DEFEAT. 187 
 
 pink I think she told me. The young couple are going 
 to their own house Mr. Masters thinks it best when 
 there is money enough. He is looking out for one to 
 buy for them, and Claude is in partnership with Mr. 
 Walker. Pauline says they're making heaps of money. 
 The ceremony will be at Trinity Chapel, and we are all 
 expected down for it. Marie and Pauline are going to 
 New York next week to help with the preparations. 
 You never saw any thing like the joy they are all in. 
 Pauline says that Belle is perfectly happy, and as shy 
 as ever. The dear, dear child ; what a lovely bride 
 she will make ! I am anxious to see her. I hope she 
 will be happy ; certainly she deserves to be, consider- 
 ing all she went through some years ago. Come, John, 
 forget your theories, and promise not to go away until 
 after Belle's marriage. She would be dreadfully disap- 
 pointed if you were not there. But, of course, you have 
 no idea of not being there." 
 
 And, as if the matter were fully determined, my 
 mother drew her shawl over her head, and went down 
 to the gate to meet Mrs. Lecount, who was just then 
 stopping her horse, at it, with the hope of another dis 
 cussion. 
 
 " What torture you have just endured, John, and 
 how bravely you stood it out ! What will you do ? " 
 asked my sister, putting her arm round my neck. 
 
 " Go as quickly as I can arrange matters here ! " 
 
 "And Mr. Masters? Oh! John, how can you leave 
 the country without seeing them ? "
 
 188 DB. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 " I intend to see them. I must stand one more heart- 
 ache, and then you shall admit that I can conquer my- 
 self; but not here, where every thing reminds me of 
 her, and keeps my misery fresh before my sight. Try 
 and convince mother that I am determined, and find 
 some trace of the silver lining in this cloud that will 
 comfort both her and me." 
 
 " John, it may take years for us to see that lining ; 
 at present, I can't find it. Mother's happiness is dis- 
 turbed, and your heart almost broken ; but you know 
 what is right, and I feel that you ought to go away." 
 
 The next morning I followed my mother into the 
 kitchen, and while she tossed up eggs and beat sugar, 
 and manufactured a cake, I urged every reason, plausi- 
 ble and ridiculous, that I could think of, in behalf of my 
 trip. At last I noticed that one argument had some 
 effect on her. When I mentioned the number of years 
 that I had been working and studying, with but few 
 intervals of rest, and urged the incalculable good that 
 travel and freedom from care would do me, not to speak 
 of the years such a change might add to my life, she 
 stopped her work and sat down to consider this new 
 view of the case. The result was, her full and cordial 
 consent, and I went to work at my preparations with a 
 heart very much lightened of care on her account. 
 
 By a few skilful retreats I escaped an interview with 
 Miss Pauline, feeling myself as yet unequal to it. A 
 week after her departure for New York, I called to bid 
 her family farewell, and, in view of making my vis-it to
 
 DEFEAT. 189 
 
 Europe as important as possible, my mother and sister 
 accompanied me to New York to see me off. I had 
 written to Mr. Masters, telling him my intentions, and 
 leaving him to communicate them to the family. I 
 had planned it so as to have only one night in New 
 York to spend at his house, feeling that my courage 
 and pride would bear no more. In spite of my deter- 
 mination, I felt my heart beating rapidly, as we drove 
 up to his home, and discerned several figures on the 
 balcony and at the door ready to receive us. Shall I 
 confess that I was disappointed when I found, on alight- 
 ing from the carriage, that Miss Ferris was not among 
 them ? As we reached the parlor door, Mr. Masters 
 began apologizing for her absence. She had made the 
 engagement before they knew exactly what night we 
 would arrive, and found it impossible to break it. Of 
 course we accepted the excuse. My mother and sister 
 explained my motives to the ladies present, and Mr. 
 Masters attacked me on my unkindness in not staying 
 for Belle's wedding. I parried his remarks, conscious 
 that a pair of dark eyes was fixed on my face. How I 
 envied my brave sister her coolness and self-command 
 as portions of her conversation reached me ! " Poor 
 John has worked so hard for years ! I begged of him 
 to think of this trip, and it must do him good. Last 
 winter he had such a hacking 'cough. You know a 
 doctor's life is a very hard one ; obliged to be out at 
 night in all seasons of the year." These, and many 
 more of such remarks reached me, as I listened to Mr.
 
 190 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 Masters telling his kind-hearted, thoughtful arrange- 
 ments for the happiness of the young couple. As he 
 made no remarks about speculations, and talked as if 
 Mr. Lecount were engaged wholly in his legitimate 
 business, I concluded that the gentleman had given up 
 that branch of money-making, and was pleasing Mr. 
 Masters by his quiet attention to the profession of which 
 he was a member. 
 
 In spite of my own wretchedness, I could not help 
 feeling pleased at the evident happiness of my kind 
 friends. That they were bound up in their adopted 
 child, and concerned in every thing that affected her 
 interest, was plain to all. If only the one absorbing 
 feeling were overcome, how contentedly might I go 
 away, leaving her to the love and care of these honest 
 protectors ! Once I would have relinquished all hope 
 of ever seeing her again, for the certainty tliat she was 
 happy, and secure from her cruel stepmother ; now, I 
 would give years of my life to be able to regain that 
 feeling, seeing that she was in the position I had then 
 coveted for her. 
 
 We were yet conversing, the watchful eyes still 
 searching my face, which I knew was stony and impas- 
 sive, in spite of my efforts to look natural, when a night- 
 key was inserted into the hall door, and from my posi- 
 tion I saw Miss Ferris enter with her accepted lover. 
 As she stood for a minute under the brilliant light in 
 the hall, her whole figure and face impressed me with 
 the idea that a great change had been effected in her,
 
 DEFEAT. 191 
 
 whether a natural one, the result of her experience of 
 the world during the past winter, or a false one, forced 
 upon her by circumstances, I could not determine. The 
 air of perfect self-possession, and the immobility of the 
 delicate features were the peculiarities that struck me 
 most, and I began to feel some misgivings as to her 
 state of intense happiness. In fact, my ideal had lost 
 her identity, and was but one among the many beauti- 
 ful and' apparently worldly-minded girls so frequently 
 met with in our community. 
 
 She was expensively dressed in a most becoming 
 style, and rustled into the room, holding out her two 
 hands to my mother and sister, and uttering some 
 commonplace exclamation, expressive of her pleasure 
 at seeing them. She turned to me in exactly the 
 same manner, and with like words of welcome, but 
 as her eyes met mine, they died away on her lips, and a 
 faint color rose to her cheeks. 
 
 " Let me take your bonnet, Belle," said Miss Pauline, 
 rising hastily and coming forward. 
 
 Miss Ferris dropped my hand as if startled, and 
 blushed still more as she turned away. 
 
 " Thank you, Pauline," she murmured, almost in- ' 
 audibly. " I shall run up-stairs with it ; no, don't 
 trouble yourself" for Miss" Pauline would have fol- 
 lowed her and she left the room. 
 
 This little by-play had passed unnoticed by the others 
 present, Mr. Lecount being engaged talking to my sister 
 and mother, and Mr. and Mrs. Masters being unsuspicious.
 
 192 DE. WILMEE'B LOVE. 
 
 It was some time before Miss Ferris reappeared, 
 and then her manner was nervous ; her face also showed 
 traces of agitation. I believed that this was the result 
 of meeting me, after having declined my offer, an act 
 which must have given her some pain. I determined 
 to reassure her, not liking to cause her gentle nature to 
 feel any sorrow or self-blame for my disappointment. 
 I assumed a gay, talkative manner, and succeeded in 
 deceiving her. She resumed the quiet, self-possessed 
 air, and received the attentions lavished on her by Mr. 
 Lecount, who had taken his place beside her, with a 
 coolness and ease remarkable in one so young. Her 
 winter in society had certainly done wonders for her, 
 or, perhaps, she owed these new accomplishments to the 
 teachings of Miss Pauline. Then again, it struck me 
 that she felt as I did, and thought that these lover-like 
 attentions were in rather bad taste, considering our 
 presence, and the motives which had brought about our 
 visit. 
 
 Her manner indicated indifference rather than bash- 
 fulness or fondness, and at times she turned from him 
 with a wearied look in the soft eyes, to hear what Mr. 
 Masters was saying, or to throw a faint smile to my 
 mother. Meanwhile Mr. Claude played with her pretty 
 hand, on one finger of which a diamond was sparkling, 
 twisted the soft curls, and whispered low-toned remarks 
 in the accustomed way, with tender glances from his 
 fine eyes accompanying them. Had 'she given him one 
 answering token of love, he would have driven me wild
 
 DEFEAT. 193 
 
 with jealousy, but her generous, pitying heart could find 
 no pleasure in giving me fresh pain. 
 
 At last Mr. Lecount rose to take leave, and Miss 
 Ferris gave him her hand quietly, after he had wished 
 us all good-night and me a pleasant voyage. He either 
 did not, or would not understand her, but placing his 
 arm round her waist, drew her into the hall and de- 
 tained her some time at the door. When she returned 
 she sat down on the sofa between my mother and sister, 
 and, throwing an arm round each with some of her old 
 impetuosity, asked and answered questions without 
 number. She had made them promise to stay with her 
 a week, before it was time to separate for the night. 
 
 The next morning Miss Pauline was in the dining- 
 room when I went down, alert and watchful. Had I 
 wished for an opportunity to speak to Miss Ferris 
 alone, she would have prevented the wish being grati- 
 fied. However, she need not have feared me ; I had no 
 intention of trusting myself to such an interview. I 
 firmly believed that Miss Ferris had told of my letter to 
 her friend, not being able to account in any other way 
 for her extreme vigilance. I had some purchases to 
 make in the city, and intended leaving the house after 
 breakfast with Mr. Masters, it being understood that 
 my mother and sister would meet me at the pier. As 
 I was bidding Miss Ferris good-by, Mr. Masters called 
 out 
 
 " You will see them again, they will all come down 
 to the ship time enough to inspect your quarters, and 
 9
 
 194: DE. WILMEfi's LOVE. 
 
 keep up your spirits till the last. I only wish you 
 would postpone your trip until after Belle's wedding, 
 and then we might all join you, and have a good time. 
 Travelling alone is dull work." 
 
 " And so I had better go first, and be ready to re- 
 ceive you all when you come, and teach you the lan- 
 guage and customs of the country." 
 
 My sister laughed, and I ran down the steps and 
 called gayly to Mr. Masters. 
 
 We had transacted our business and reached the 
 ship long before the carriage came in sight. At last, 
 from my place on deck, I caught a glimpse of my 
 mother's face, and we joined the party on the pier. As 
 I had anticipated, Miss Ferris was not among them. 
 Mr. Masters expressed his astonishment. Mrs. Masters 
 explained that Belle could not find courage to watch, 
 the ship disappearing that carried away one of her best 
 friends. 
 
 My mother said that Belle was crying as if her 
 heart would break when they were strapping my trunk 
 on the carriage ; and that Pauline wished to come, but 
 could not possibly leave Belle in such grief. 
 
 " Belle has not been like her old self lately," re- 
 marked Mr. Masters. " It all comes of being in love, I 
 suppose." 
 
 As my sister was leaving my little state-room, I 
 drew her back, and asked what caused 3Iiss Ferris's 
 grief. 
 
 " That is what has been puzzling me ever since we
 
 DEFEAT. 195 
 
 left the house. After her indifference last night I hardly 
 expected such a scene. She threw her arms around my 
 neck, and cried, and said that she was sorry for hav- 
 ing been so cool to you, and you her best friend. She 
 begged me to tell. you that she could not bear to see you 
 going away, and that she would pray for your safe re- 
 turn. Altogether she is the most unaccountable girl I 
 ever had any thing to do with." 
 
 " She is sorry for me," I thought, as we joined the 
 rest of the party. A few moments after, I was leaning 
 over the side of the ship, watching the dear forms fast 
 becoming more and more indistinct in the increasing 
 distance.
 
 CHAPTER VIH. 
 
 THEEE TEARS AFTER. 
 
 DURING the three years that I remained in Europe I 
 heard very few details of what was taking place among 
 the people in whom I had felt so much interest. My 
 sister was either ignorant of their movements, or she 
 was purposely silent about them. I inclined toward the 
 latter opinion, and never made any but general inquiries 
 when I mentioned them in my letters. Mr. Masters 
 kept up an irregular correspondence with me in his old 
 happy style, and, to judge from his way of alluding to 
 his ward and her husband, every thing was progressing 
 in the most satisfactory manner. 
 
 I knew that the young couple had a very pretty 
 house in New York, and that a little son had come to 
 them, who, according to Mr. Masters, far exceeded in 
 beauty and intelligence any child ever before born into 
 the world. Owing to these reports I was perfectly 
 satisfied of the complete happiness of her whom I had 
 so hopelessly loved. I gave my whole attention to the 
 subject the study of which I had set before me, and
 
 THEEE YEAES AFTEK. 197 
 
 with the most satisfactory results. I returned home 
 invigorated and light-hearted, feeling that my long ab- 
 sence had done me an incalculable amount of good. I 
 had gained in health and experience, and I felt a strong 
 desire to return to my work and prosecute it with more 
 vigor than ever. My mother and sister were overjoyed 
 at my arrival, and before I had been home a week I 
 was as well informed on the affairs of every family in 
 the place as one who had never been absent from it a day. 
 
 The Lecounts, both at home and in New York, were 
 acting in a manner totally unaccountable to my sister 
 and mother. The young couple had never been in the 
 village during their three years of married life. My 
 mother and sister had never been invited to stop at 
 their house, and had only seen them occasionally, when 
 visiting in New York at Mr. Masters'. 
 
 " Perhaps their house is too small to admit of vis- 
 itors staying over night," I urged, rather puzzled at the 
 whole affair, so utterly contrary to young Mrs. Lecount's 
 affectionate disposition. 
 
 " The house is a very large one, and Belle always 
 has one or two of the family from here stopping with 
 her. Pauline is almost a fixture there. I know they 
 entertain other company at the same time, for Mr. 
 Masters has often alluded to the fact, both here and in 
 his own house." 
 
 "He seems to think they are rather extravagant," 
 remarked my mother. 
 
 " But surely you have been in the house, you have
 
 198 
 
 seen Mrs. Lecount in her own home. Could you not 
 judge what her reason might be for neither coming here 
 nor asking you there ? " 
 
 " No, I could not. At the first visit, Pauline was 
 present all the time. She is one of the family, and I 
 suppose had a perfect right to receive us when we 
 called ; still she contrived to throw a restraint over us 
 that was quite inexplicable, and yet decided. Belle has 
 changed somewhat ; she is less cordial, more dignified 
 and reticent, than you can imagine. I felt so chilled, 
 that I called her Mrs. Lecount when we were taking 
 leave. "Would you believe it, she caught my hand, and 
 begged of me not to do so again. ' Call me Belle,' she 
 whispered, as she kissed me. "We were alone in the 
 hall. I put my arms round her, and she shook all over; 
 the next moment Pauline came out of the parlor, where 
 she had been showing some flowers to mother, and 
 Belle changed again instantly to the cold, dignified 
 Mrs. Lecount." 
 
 " When did that happen ? " I asked. " It sounds 
 strange ; you never mentioned it to me in your letters." 
 
 ""Why should I? It would do you no good, and 
 besides, Belle did not appear unhappy. On the con- 
 trary, she was surrounded by luxuries, for the house is 
 perfect, and she was looking very handsome. That was 
 about six months after her marriage. We did not pay 
 her a visit again until after her child was born. Mother 
 and I went down expressly to see her. Mrs. Lecount 
 had been with her all through, and Belle told us that
 
 THREE TEAKS AFTEE. 199 
 
 no one could have teen kinder. That visit was a very 
 pleasant one. Mrs. Lecount left us with Belle, and she 
 was more like her old self in her manner. She was so 
 perfectly happy showing us the baby ! Her delight 
 was more like a child's over a pretty new doll than any 
 thing else. Mother was afraid she would let the little 
 thing fall, or injure its spine, the way .she was playing 
 with it, and we both felt relieved when the nurse came 
 in and took it from her. She talked then of coming 
 up here as soon as she was strong, but she never did, 
 and that was two years ago. We have only seen 
 her once since then, and under the circumstances we 
 could not ask her true reason for never visitinsc us. 
 
 O 
 
 Mr. Masters gave a large dinner party on the anniver- 
 sary of his wedding-day the thirty-fifth, I think and 
 we went down for it. Of course, we expected to see 
 Belle that day before dinner, but she did not come in 
 until it was nearly over. Claude made some excuse for 
 their late appearance, and I was struck by the curious 
 way in which they acted toward each other. Pauline 
 was not present; I forget what prevented her accepting 
 the invitation. Belle was pleasant and talkative, but 
 not inclined to be confidential, and she was so sur- 
 rounded by admirers, that I found little opportunity to 
 speak to her. Both she and Claude looked remarkably 
 handsome that night, and they attracted universal at- 
 tention. Belle asked us to call the next day, and 
 after she was gone, mother said to Mrs. Masters that 
 she thought there was something wrong between the
 
 200 DK. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 young people. Mrs. Masters said, not at all, that Belle 
 hated demonstrations before strangers, and would not 
 permit them. As it was the first time I had seen them 
 together since their marriage, I concluded they were 
 very happy, as Mrs. Masters thought so, and she, of 
 course, had plenty of opportunities for judging them." 
 
 " Did you call the next day ? " I asked. 
 
 " Yes, but we did not see Belle. Pauline received 
 us, and excused her. She had a terrible headache, and 
 could not bear the least sound in the room. We asked 
 to see the baby, but he was out with his nurse; so we 
 left our love for her, and started for home that night. 
 We have not seen Belle since." 
 
 I commenced walking up and down the room. 
 
 "Now, John, please don't go to work and worry 
 yourself about Belle's happiness. If you do, I shall feel 
 sorry for having remembered and told you all these 
 things. I never wrote them to you, because I wanted to 
 give you time to forget all your old troubles. Mother 
 thinks it a good sign when the new friends have super- 
 eeded the old ; although it is not pleasant to be forgot- 
 ten so entirely. However, they are young, and may 
 find more congenial companions than two old women, 
 shut up in a country village, and totally ignorant of the 
 latest fashions and the new amusements. I used to pic- 
 ture to myself Belle on a visit to us, occupying her old 
 room, and going over the old pleasures that served to 
 entertain her when society and its charms were unknown 
 and uncared foi\ Pauline, when she does come to see us,
 
 THEEE YEAES AFTER. 201 
 
 always dispels my illusions by describing Belle as she 
 lives now, surrounded with company, and taking her 
 part in every gayety that is planned or thought of." 
 
 " Yes," I said, " at twenty-three the world is very 
 bright, and particularly so for those who have the means 
 to enjoy it. We must not be severe on Mrs. Lecount. 
 She feels these pleasures the more for having been de- 
 barred of them so long." 
 
 " Yes, and then nothing is too extravagant for the 
 family she has married into. They uphold her in things 
 that her own judgment would disapprove. You will be 
 astonished when you see the old house. It has been re- 
 paired and refitted from top to bottom. Of course, we 
 know where the money came from, and they even tell 
 us that Belle loves the old place so dearly, that she in- 
 sisted on having it put in order at her own expense, and 
 refused to consider the money they expended as a loan." 
 
 "And yet she has not visited it since she was mar- 
 ried ? " 
 
 " No, but then Belle is generous enough to do that 
 and more for the comfort of others, and I have no doubt 
 but that the old people will thank her every day for 
 what she has done for them." 
 
 " She is a warm-hearted, good little girl," said my 
 mother, coming in, " if she does seem to have forgotten 
 iis ; and I am almost sure that there is something at the 
 bottom of all this, and that we will find out what it is, 
 if we have patience." 
 
 This conversation had been the result of my inviting 
 0*
 
 202 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 the two ladies who composed my family to call with me 
 on Mrs. Lecount. They both demurred, feeling ag- 
 grieved with the whole set. They had paid the last 
 visit, and anyhow it was the Lecounts' place to call on 
 me. I had no great desire to see the family, and so the 
 weeks passed over, until I had been back a month with- 
 out meeting one of them. 
 
 One afternoon, as I was riding home, I came upon a 
 strange figure of a female Avalking along the grass by 
 the roadside. Her curious costume was not new to me ; 
 I had seen numberless women dressed in the same style 
 in Europe, but she looked quite remarkable and out of 
 place when met on a country road in the United States. 
 As I expected, when I drew closer, I found that she was 
 a young, bright-looking French girl, with rosy cheeks, 
 q,nd dark hair, half hidden under her stiff white cap. 
 Walking before her, and supported by an embroidered 
 strap that she held in her hands, was a pretty boy, about 
 two years of age. His hair fell on his neck in a shower 
 of golden curls, and as I passed he raised his head and 
 disclosed a pair of soft brown eyes shaded by long dark 
 lashes. The hojrse attracted his attention, and he point- 
 
 _ 
 
 ed at it, and then turned to his nurse, about to cry. 
 
 " Does it frighten him ? " I asked, stopping short in 
 the road. 
 
 " No, sir," was the reply, in very good English ; 
 "but he wants to get on it. His father often rides him 
 up and down the street. 
 
 " Let me take him," I said, and she lifted him up to
 
 THREE YEARS AFTEK. 203 
 
 rae, while he laughed and clapped his hands in glee. 
 He patted the horse, and played with its long mane, 
 shaking it in front of the animal's eyes and leaning over 
 it fearlessly, while the nurse walked along, holding the 
 long band which was still fastened around his waist. 
 
 " What is his name ? " I asked, at last, wondering 
 where the child could belong. 
 
 " Charles Arthur Lecount," was the quick answer, 
 the last names pronounced with a strong French accent. 
 
 For a moment I felt giddy, like one in a vivid 
 dream ; then, as thought returned, I understood the 
 meaning of the child's appearance. 
 
 " You are from New York ? " I said. 
 
 " Monsieur is quite right. Madame not find herself 
 very well, and we all come here." 
 
 I asked no more questions, and when we reached 
 Mrs. Lecount's gate, she stopped and took the little boy 
 down, but not without a great deal of coaxing and 
 promises of sugar-plums. She spoke to the child in 
 French, and held him up inside the gate to bid the 
 kind gentleman " good-by," which he did in his child- 
 ish way, kissing his little fat hand to. me, and waving 
 his cap. 
 
 When I reached home, my sister was waiting for me 
 at the gate, her face bright with joy. 
 
 " I know all about it ! " I cried out. 
 
 " What do you know ? " 
 
 "Mrs. Lecount is here," I answered, gayly. 
 
 " Yes, that is it ; did you see her ? "
 
 204 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 " No ; I met with an adventure, in which I made 
 the acquaintance of her little son and his nurse. What 
 have you heard ? " 
 
 " Why, Pauline ran over to tell us, and was more 
 astonished than we were when she heard that you were 
 home. Your letter must have gone astray. However, 
 they are all here, that is, all but Claude ; he had busi- 
 ness to attend to, and so Belle started with Pauline and 
 the baby and servants. She wasn't at all well, and the 
 doctor there told Claude to send her inland, in prefer- 
 ence to a watering-place. Pauline says that Belle cried 
 to come here, and so Claude allowed her to, but she 
 wanted to spend the summer at Newport or Cape May, 
 of course ; she wouldn't be Pauline Lecount if she 
 wished any thing else." 
 
 " Don't get so warm," I said, patting my sister's hand. 
 
 " Warm, indeed ! I don't see how I can help grow- 
 ing hot, when I hear of such things. The idea of Pau- 
 line dictating where Belle should go for the summer, 
 and Belle having to cry before they would allow her 
 to come where she might see her old friends ! It is well 
 they did not know of your return, or she might have 
 cried in vain. I am sure our living here has something 
 to do with the matter, in spite of Pauline's warmth and 
 friendship." 
 
 " Very probably it has ; but we can do no good 
 either to ourselves or Mrs. Lecount by quarrelling now. 
 The mischief is done, and we had better be friends if 
 that is possible."
 
 THKEE TEAKS AFTEK. 205 
 
 '* Oh ! there is no danger of them ; they are too pol- 
 itic to say any thing against us to Belle. We shall 
 always be friends on the surface." 
 
 " Then let us search no deeper. For Belle's sake 
 we will avoid all unpleasantness." 
 
 " Yes, John, you have always considered her happi- 
 ness, and I suppose you always will." 
 
 " As long as I live," I answered. 
 
 My sister bent her head for a moment to kiss my 
 hand that held hers ; and then, shaking the tears from 
 her eyes, she called out to me, in a. gay tone of voice, 
 as I rode off, to make haste, for the tea was nearly cold. 
 
 About three o'clock the next morning, my sister 
 awakened me with the words 
 
 " John, you are sent for. Victor Lecount is down- 
 stairs." 
 
 " Well ! who wants me ? what is the matter ? " 
 
 " Belle's child is in convulsions, and they are all ter- 
 rified out of their senses." 
 
 " Perhaps you had better come over as soon as you 
 can," I said, as I hurriedly threw on my clothes. I 
 found Victor waiting for me, and together we hastened 
 down the road, while he told me all he knew about 
 what had happened. It didn't amount to much ; the 
 child had been restless in the early part of the night, 
 and its mother had insisted on sitting up to watch him. 
 . Shortly after two o'clock he had been seized with a con- 
 vulsion, and his mother, in her fright, had roused the 
 house with screams that he was dying. Her terror was 

 
 206 DK. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 natural, as she had never witnessed such a sight before, 
 and Victor had hurried off to me. The worst part of 
 it all was that Mrs. Lecount was confined to her Ibed 
 with rheumatism, and wholly unable to render her grand- 
 child any assistance except by giving orders, which the 
 girls were too frightened to carry out properly. 
 
 I found the house in a state of hopeless confusion. 
 Young Mrs. Lecount was sitting on a low chair with 
 her baby in her arms, watching with dilated eyes the 
 convulsive movements of the small, waxen limbs. Pau- 
 line and Marie were standing near her, begging of her 
 to put the child on the bed, and declaring that she was 
 making him worse by holding him so tightly. The ser- 
 vants had lit every lamp in the house, and then col- 
 lected in a group, to exchange opinions. Mr. Lecount 
 was scolding the French girl, and demanding what she 
 had done to his grandchild ; while the poor creature 
 sobbed, and shook, and declared in loud tones, and with 
 many gestures, that she had done nothing to hurt him. 
 The only silent ones in the room were the tearless young 
 mother and the suffering child. 
 
 " Send those servants to make a fire, and get a warm 
 bath ready at once," I said to Miss Pauline the moment 
 I had glanced round the room and taken in the state 
 of affairs. 
 
 The servants disappeared with Miss Marie to see 
 that the order was obeyed, and comparative silence 
 succeeded their departure. 
 
 Mrs. Lccouut, roused by the sound of my voice,
 
 THREE TEAKS AFTER. 207 
 
 stirred slightly, and looked up in my face, as I bent 
 over the child, Avith a dumb misery in every feature 
 that went to my heart. I saw, in a single glance, the 
 change in her ; she was thin and worn, and her voice 
 had acquired a sadness of tone that startled me. 
 
 " My only hope, my only comfort ! " she murmured, 
 as I still watched him. 
 
 " Let me take him," I said. 
 
 For a moment she clasped him tighter, and a wild 
 look came in her eyes, then, as a softer expression 
 dawned on her face, she held him toward me, saying : 
 
 " Yes, you will do right ; you know best." 
 
 ''And you must help me you and his nurse. If 
 yon will be strong and hopeful, there is no cause for 
 fear. The little fellow will be running about as gay 
 as ever in a week." 
 
 My words had the desired effect. With a strong 
 effort she regained her self-control, and, knowing that 
 it would satisfy her, I called upon her for every little 
 assistance that was necessary. "What a change a few 
 words of hope had effected ! This young mother, whom 
 I had found sitting cold and motionless, watching, as 
 she supposed, her child's last moments, was now an en- 
 tirely different creature, moving with soft, elastic tread 
 about the room, anticipating my words, and looking for 
 happy results from what I was doing, with a perfect 
 confidence in my skill and knowledge. 
 
 When at last the child opened his eyes and called 
 " mamma," in a faint, .fretful voice, she clasped him iu
 
 208 DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 her arms with a joyful cry, while the expression of her 
 face was in itself a thanksgiving more powerful than 
 language could offer up. 
 
 She paced the room back and forth for some time, 
 trying to lull the child to sleep, almost indifferent, in 
 her great happiness, to what was taking place around 
 her. I turned and spoke to Miss Pauline for the first 
 time, wishing to give her the directions what to do in 
 case of the child being seized again during my absence. 
 She had remained in the room all the time, a quiet spec- 
 tator, not offering either advice or assistance, for which 
 I thanked her, feeling sure that Mrs. Lecount preferred 
 doing every thing herself for her own child. The nurse 
 had gone to tell the baby's grandmother of his safety, 
 and her low tones were intended for me alone. 
 
 " What could have caused all this ? " she asked. 
 
 " There are various reasons for it. Do you know 
 what he ate yesterday ? " 
 
 She shrugged her pretty shoulders, and a rather con- 
 temptuous expression came over her face. 
 
 " How should I know ? His mother and his nurse 
 attend to that. He is a charming child," she went on, 
 afraid that she had lost ground in my opinion " a 
 lovely boy ; only we all fear that Belle will spoil him. 
 She will allow no one but his father to interfere, and, 
 of course, a man occupied with business cares can't 
 attend to the forming of his child's disposition." 
 
 " Nor is it necessary ; the child had better be left to 
 his mother for some years to come."
 
 THREE TEAKS AFTER. 209 
 
 " But ho is so passionate he is wearing Belle out. 
 We are all anxious about her ; she is far from strong." 
 
 I looked for a moment at the slight figure bending 
 over the child, now sleeping quietly in his little cradle. 
 
 " I can't think it any thing more serious than a 
 slight loss of vigor, caused by the over- fatigue and late 
 hours of a gay winter. Mrs. Lecount will regain her 
 strength after a few months of country air and quiet." 
 
 I spoke in the coldest, most indifferent tones possi- 
 ble, aware of the jealous eyes fixed on my face, and 
 the quick ears drinking in all my words. 
 
 Mrs. Lecount joined us. 
 
 " Do you think he is quite over it now ? " she asked, 
 in low tones, careful of disturbing the distant sleeper. 
 
 " I hope so ; I have given Miss Pauline all the neces- 
 sary directions in case of a recurrence of these attacks, 
 and I shall call in during the evening." 
 
 " Must you go away ? " she asked, clasping her 
 hands. 
 
 " Yes, the necessity is imperative ; but I don't an- 
 ticipate any more of them. ' He is very much weak- 
 ened, and I should like to ascertain what he ate yes- 
 terday." 
 
 Of course the mother knew, and she named over 
 what he had had, but they were all perfectly harmless. 
 I began to look for some other cause for his sudden ill- 
 ness, when my eyes fell on a large lemon, half hidden 
 among some toys that were scattered over the sofa. 
 Several small portions of the rind were missing, and
 
 210 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 the rough edges round the holes told of little teeth 
 having been at work. I picked it up hastily, and at 
 that moment the nurse entered the room. 
 
 "Did the baby swallow the pieces he bit out of 
 this ? " I asked, holding the lemon before her. 
 
 " Yes, he did, before I could take them out of his 
 mouth ; but, surely, monsieur doesn't think that such a 
 little thing would hurt him." 
 
 " It has nearly killed him," I said ; " it would injure 
 a much older child than he is. Mrs. Lecount, you must 
 be more careful ; such playthings are totally unneces- 
 sary." 
 
 " Indeed, I didn't give it to him ; I didn't know he 
 had it," Mrs. Lecount answered, her eyes filling with 
 tears. 
 
 " Why, no ! " said the nurse, " Mademoiselle Pauline 
 gave it to him." 
 
 Mrs. Lecount turned to her with a reproachful look 
 in her soft eyes that said more than words. 
 
 " Well ! " and Mi^s Pauline's dark eyes grew darker, 
 while the color rose in her cheeks, " he was crying for 
 nothing, and I gave it to him to pacify him ! " 
 
 " Mademoiselle forgets she slapped his hands for up- 
 setting her work-basket ; he never cries for nothing ; " 
 and the French girl's face grew crimson with indignation. 
 
 Mrs. Lecount laid her hand on the angry girl's 
 shoulder, enforcing silence, and then turned away with 
 a deep sigh. Miss Pauline left the room, darting a 
 threatening look at the nurse, and I followed the moth-
 
 TIIKEE TEAKS AFTER. 211 
 
 cr's steps, and listened for a few minutes to the child's 
 gentle breathing. 
 
 " I think he will do well now, and you require rest ; 
 let the nurse watch, and do you try and sleep." 
 
 She pressed my hand and assented ; but I felt that 
 she did not trust herself to speak, lest she might blame 
 her sister-in-law. 
 
 "When I opened the door, the day was just breaking. 
 The whole scene was a contrast to the one I had just 
 quitted. All was still in the gray, hazy light ; not a 
 sound broke the silence of nature. I had just witnessed 
 the expression of nearly all the passions of humanity, 
 grief, love, joy, jealousy, and anger. A few hours in a 
 sick-room had served to arouse them all to their utmost 
 extent. The calm out of doors was very acceptable, 
 and I walked slowly down the lawn enjoying it. I no- 
 ticed the improvements my sister, had spoken of. The 
 former aspect of decay had disappeared ; every thing, 
 from the garden-plants to the new weather-vane on the 
 roof, looked trim and handsome. There was an air of 
 unostentatious wealth and comfort about every thing 
 that gave a charming appearance to the old place. 
 
 Three years had done wonders for many in the way 
 of comfort and freedom from care ; but I had my doubts 
 whether, after all, the happiness of the one had been 
 effected whose welfare should have been the uppermost 
 thought in all hearts. As I walked home, I pondered 
 deeply on the immense influence for good or evil that 
 one life exerts over others. I looked back on the years
 
 212 DE. WILHEE'S LOVE. 
 
 that had passed since I first saw the little child held for 
 the last time in her dying father's arms. How strange 
 the after-events which the young life, so frail and un- 
 certain, had linked together in one strong chain, uniting 
 such opposite interests, and binding in close friendship 
 so many antagonistic natures ! Without possessing any 
 remarkable talent, or great powers of mind ; thrown, 
 by force of circumstances, and often against her will, 
 into strange positions and among curious people ; and, 
 having no self-proposed aim in life, she had yet done 
 more good than many who, starting without her disad- 
 vantages, attempt to compass by dint of their own 
 strength and intellect what her gentle innocence had 
 unconsciously effected. 
 
 Her childish smile had exerted an influence over me 
 beyond the power of words. It had been my beacon-light 
 for years. Her helplessness and sad suffering had called 
 forth my deepest feelings, and roused all my energies 
 in her defence. Her presence and love had increased 
 her guardian's happiness, and brightened my mother's 
 lonely life. Even her rejection of me had taught 
 patience and resignation. In her unselfish generosity, 
 she was forwarding by all the means in her power the 
 happiness of her husband's family. If her wealth 
 brought bodily comforts, her gentle forbearance was 
 softening the proud, ambitious hearts, and filling them 
 with better and higher aspirations. 
 
 It was nearly six o'clock in the evening when I re- 
 turned to Mrs. Lecount's. My Bister was in the parlor
 
 THEEE YEAE8 AFTEE. 213 
 
 with the family, and, from the merry tones that reached 
 my ears through the open windows, I judged that the 
 baby was much better. I was ushered into the midst 
 of them by the servant. 
 
 " I am so glad to see you, Doctor Wilmer," Miss Pau- 
 line exclaimed. " Arthur has been quite lively all the 
 afternoon, but nothing that we can say will satisfy 
 Belle. She will fret, and she must have your opinion 
 before she will believe that he is out of danger." 
 
 " She was asleep when I went up last," said Miss 
 Marie ; " I will go and tell her you are here." 
 
 "Belle don't appear very strong," said my sister. 
 "I hope she will stay with us all summer. Little 
 Arthur will enjoy it so much." 
 
 " I can't tell how it will be," answered Miss Pauline. 
 " Claude had not decided when we left home. I expect 
 him up, however, either to-night or to-morrow morning. 
 Perhaps you can persuade him to remain here, but I 
 know he had a wish to go somewhere in Connecticut, 
 lie wanted to see some mills there, that a friend of his 
 has an interest in. I believe it would be a very good 
 investment, and Claude had his mind nearly made up. 
 However, Mr. Masters insisted that he should go there 
 and examine every thing about them first. Of course, 
 it would take some time, and the place is very pretty 
 and healthy, so that Belle and Arthur could go with 
 him." 
 
 " So Mr. Lecount is not over his love of speculation 
 yet," I thought, on my way up-stairs.
 
 214: DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 I found Mrs. Lecount sitting at the open window 
 with her baby in her arms, and the nurse building a 
 block-house on the table for the young gentleman's 
 amusement. The little fellow was languid and dull, 
 and inclined to go asleep, which he did in a few minutes 
 after, with his head on his mother's shoulder, its bright 
 rings of golden hair mingling with her dark- curls. She 
 was, as my sister had told me, reserved and cold. Once 
 assured of her child's safety, the bright light died out 
 of her eyes, and the life and enthusiasm of her manner 
 went with it. Her thoughts all centred in him; her 
 eyes wandered over the sleeping form, as if seeing 
 nothing beyond, while I talked to her on indifferent sub- 
 jects, trying to arouse something of her old interest 
 and curiosity. 
 
 "You have not been out of the house to-day," I said, 
 noticing her pale cheeks and drooping figure. 
 
 " No, I could not leave Arthur ; he wanted me with 
 him all the time." 
 
 " Trust him with his nurse now, and go out for a 
 little while in the garden, before it becomes too damp. 
 You must consider your health for his sake, if not for 
 your own." 
 
 To my surprise she rose at once, put the child in his 
 cradle, and drawing a shawl hastily out of a box, 
 wrapped it round her, with a slight shiver, and walked 
 to the door. 
 
 " You are very obedient," I said, laughingly ; " and 
 Arthur is so well that I shall pay him no more doctor's
 
 TIIKEE YEARS AFTEE. 215 
 
 visits. Will you come in ? " I asked, as we reached the 
 parlor door. 
 
 " No, no, I shall go out on the piazza for a few 
 minutes ; don't disturb them, I prefer being alone." 
 
 She turned away, and I found the young ladies in 
 the midst of a noisy argument, which must have reached 
 the ears of the silent woman pacing up and down the 
 balcony outside. I tried to stop it, but found the effort 
 almost impossible. The subject under discussion was, 
 how Belle was spoiling her child by injudicious indul- 
 gence, and how she was sacrificing her own health and 
 comfort in humoring his whims. As I knew none of the 
 merits of the case, I could offer no opinion, though called 
 upon to do so by Miss Pauline. The conversation had 
 been brought about by Victor declaring that Pauline 
 was in fault about the child's sickness, while she insisted 
 that the whole trouble arose from his being allowed to 
 have his own way in every thing. 
 
 " It is just the same in New York," she concluded, 
 
 
 
 with flashing eyes, and in an excited tone of voice, 
 which did not speak well for her temper. " The whole 
 house must give way to him, father, mother, servants 
 and alL I am determined that he shan't rule me. 
 Claude ought to take him in hand ; he is already entirely 
 beyond his mother's control, and she has herself to 
 thank for it." 
 
 I don't know which astonished me most, Miss Pau- 
 line speaking in such terms of young Mrs. Lecount be- 
 fore my sister and me, or the idea that a boy not two
 
 216 DK. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 years old was a terror to all around him, and beyond 
 the management and influence of his mother. Nothing 
 in the child's appearance could warrant such an asser- 
 tion, and I suspected that Miss Pauline's wounded feel- 
 ings were to blame for her thoughtless speech. 
 
 When I left the house, Mrs. Lecount was not on the 
 piazza, so I went quickly down the lawn to the gate, 
 presuming that she had returned to her room. I was 
 rather surprised to find her near the end of the path, 
 where it branched off toward an old summer-house 
 covered with vines. She turned to meet me on hearing 
 my steps, and I saw tears glistening in her eyes, though 
 she tried to keep her face in shadow. 
 
 " You see how hard it is, Doctor Wilmer, to please 
 every one." She attempted a gay manner, but failed 
 utterly. 
 
 " Then you heard " 
 
 " Heard I came down this far that I might hear no 
 more. Thank you for trying to turn the conversation 
 to a more interesting subject. If you only knew how 
 tired I am of hearing my child's faults discussed, and 
 how old the theme is, you would not be surprised at my 
 taking it so coolly. At first, I did what you probably 
 expected to-night. I became warm and excited, and 
 defended myself and my actions ; now I take no part in 
 the argument. Mr. Lecount is quite willing to leave the 
 child to me, and I am responsible to no other person." 
 
 " I was more astonished at Miss Pauline's want of 
 taste"
 
 THEEE TEAKS AFTEE. 217 
 
 " Oh ! don't misjudge her. She means no harm. 
 Custom has made the subject so common that I am 
 always prepared for it, no matter who may be present. 
 The child is a general pet. Pauline is really very fond 
 of him, in spite of all she says against him ; voluntarily 
 she would not hurt him. Now and then, when he trou- 
 bles her, she loses her temper with him. I am sorry Vic- 
 . tor mentioned the affair to her. Surely the sight of the 
 little creature's sufferings was punishment enough." 
 
 ' The noise of the gate opening made us turn in that 
 direction. A gentleman in a slouched hat and linen 
 duster, with a valise in his hand, was coming in. His 
 eyes fell on us instantly, and as his wife started forward, 
 with the cry, " Why, it is Claude ! " his features darkened 
 perceptibly. She saw it, and the words of welcome died 
 away on her lips, while the bright color rose in her face. 
 I extended my hand, but Mr. Lecount drew himself up 
 without noticing it, and looked from one to the other 
 with an angry glare in his eyes. The whole scene was 
 unaccountable to me. 
 
 " What brings you here, sir ? " was his salutation. 
 
 His wife caught his arm, her eyes dilating and bril- 
 liant with wounded pride. 
 
 " Claude ! oh, Claude ! Doctor Wilmer hasjust saved 
 Arthur's life. How can you speak so to him? Our 
 child has been very sick," and the tears came in her eyes 
 while she trembled with weakness and fear. Why 
 should she be afraid of him ? Yet it was certainly a 
 sensation of dread that was stealing over her, creeping 
 10
 
 218 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 into her eyes, and blanching her cheeks. Her husband 
 shook her hand off roughly, and uttered an oath. 
 
 " What did I know of Arthurs sickness ? And what 
 has it to do with all this anyhow ? But no doubt you 
 can explain the affair to your own satisfaction, if not to 
 mine," he said rudely. 
 
 Mrs. Lecount raised her head and looked at him with 
 an expression of speechless horror, which changed to one 
 of sorrowful reproach. The same idea had suddenly 
 struck both of us Mr. Lecount was not quite himself. 
 
 She held out her hand to me, without making any 
 reply to his last remark. 
 
 " Doctor Wilmer," she said in a low voice, " forget 
 all this for my sake. Think of the circumstances." 
 
 Her husband caught the words. 
 
 " Don't apologize for me, madam ; I am quite capable 
 of arranging my own affairs. I am never ashamed of 
 making an apology where it is due. In this case I can 
 see no necessity for one." His tone was sneering, and 
 affected her strangely. 
 
 "Nor do I ask one," I said ; " you did not insult me. 
 If Mrs. Lecount is willing to overlook what has passed, 
 in view of all the circumstances, I have no desire to 
 speak or think of it again." 
 
 He turned away up the path and she lingered a mo- 
 ment -with her hand pressed tightly over her heart, be- 
 fore following him. I walked home with a new subject 
 for meditation before me. As I had never given Mr. 
 Lecount cause for jealousy, I could only suppose that
 
 THREE YEAES AFTER. 219 
 
 she had acquainted him with the contents of my letter. 
 And yet, even that would not explain his brutal rude- 
 ness to her. In marrying him she had fully proved her 
 indifference to me, and rendered all suspicious and jeal- 
 ousies on his part totally unjustifiable and contempt- 
 ible. She had chosen freely and fearlessly, and I made 
 up my mind that something had obscured Mr. Lecount's 
 usual good sense and reasoning powers. When my sis- 
 ter returned a few hours after, I was afraid to ask any 
 questions, but there were none needed. 
 
 " You just missed Claude," she began. " He came 
 in a little after you left. I never saw him look so 
 strange, and he acted and talked almost wildly. Pau- 
 line, of course, gave him a long account of Arthur, com- 
 mencing at the very beginning, and I was astonished at 
 the little effect it had upon him. He didn't even go up 
 to see Belle all the evening. Only the Lecounts are 
 such temperate men, I should say he was intoxicated." 
 
 " Perhaps he was," I answered. 
 
 " Well, it is not improbable. He came up on the 
 cars, and of course a very little of the wretched stuff 
 they sell 'along the road would affect him, particularly 
 if he were unused to it." 
 
 " It is strange," I said, musingly ; " I never thought 
 any of the family inclined that way." 
 
 " The strangest part of all was, that he was so cross 
 and quarrelsome. Naturally, he is always good-tem- 
 pered and quiet." 
 
 " Three or four years in New York, among the stock
 
 220 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 brokers, don't tend to make a man more amiable. I 
 think it has an opposite influence." 
 
 " Well, if stocks make such bears of men, I hope you 
 will never touch them, John." 
 
 " I don't think I will," I replied, laughing. 
 
 "I don't know what you are laughing at, John. I 
 feel in any thing but a gay mood. When I went up to 
 bid Belle good-by, I left Claude sitting beside Pauline, 
 muttering something that I knew she didn't want me to 
 hear. She was trying to stop him ; but just as I passed, 
 I heard him say, ' It was nothing but an excuse to see 
 the handsome doctor.' Now, I should like to know his 
 meaning. He looked savage enough, and she put her 
 hand over his mouth and affected to laugh, as if he had 
 said something witty. There was nothing amusing 
 about his appearance, and Belle " She stopped, as 
 if she had gone too far, and would have recalled her 
 words, if possible. 
 
 " Well, what about her ? " I said, for my sister was 
 folding up her work with an energy quite uncalled for 
 by the pieces of linen. " Come, tell me what you mean ; 
 don't keep me in suspense." 
 
 " Why, when I went into the room, I found her lying 
 on the bed, burning with fever, and her hair and the 
 pillow damp with her tears. The room was dark, the 
 lamp turned entirely out, and at first I thought she was 
 asleep, she was so quiet. However, she heard my steps 
 and called out to me, and when I went to her and asked 
 what ailed her, she threw her arms around my neck and
 
 THEEE TEAE9 AFTEE. 221 
 
 sobbed as if her heart would break. Then she made 
 me promise not to speak of it down-stairs, and so I 
 lifted her baby out of his cradle, and put him in her 
 arms ; and then I had to go back and speak pleasantly 
 to the others, knowing that she was up there all alone, 
 and in trouble." 
 
 " Rather a hard task to you, my impulsive sister ; 
 however, at times, we are all obliged to control our 
 hearts and tongues." 
 
 " That is true ; I felt like telling them all, and him 
 particularly, that they were breaking her heart between 
 them, with all their declarations and protestations of 
 love for her. I wish I had now." 
 
 " And I am delighted that you did not. Whatever 
 her trouble is, she wishes to keep it from the family, 
 and it would increase her misery if she were obliged to 
 answer all their questions." 
 
 " I wonder could it be, that Claude not going up to 
 see her made her unhappy? He may have thought that 
 she should have run down to welcome him in her old 
 way. Men have such fancies ! But even if she did 
 annoy him, he shouldn't have been indifferent to the 
 child. She could hardly take him down so soon ; and 
 one would suppose that he would have been anxious to 
 see Arthur. No doubt they both felt hurt, and of 
 course she frets the most." 
 
 " Of course ; and as long as the trouble lies between 
 the two, the less the family know about it the better. 
 No doubt, by this time, they have forgotten and for-
 
 222 
 
 given the whole affair, and are surprised at their own 
 foolishness in letting such a little thing do so much 
 mischief." 
 
 " Little things cause all the unhappiness in the 
 world. They reach the heart quickest, because too 
 small to be noticed by any but the one that loves. 
 Straws show which way the wind blows, and no doubt 
 Claude's indifference to his child was more painful to 
 Belle than his disregard of her. If she is too proud to 
 let him know what she suffered, he will feel worse, and 
 accuse her of still greater coldness. Who can tell what 
 will come of such a misunderstanding ? That is why I 
 approve of thunder-storms in the family, now and then ; 
 they clear the domestic air. They often do good by 
 bringing to light the little causes that arc "apt to lead to 
 such great effects." 
 
 " Belle is too truthful to allow a misunderstanding 
 to exist for any length of time. I don't think you need 
 fear for her domestic happiness." 
 
 My sister left me, quite reassiired.
 
 CHAPTER IX. 
 
 A DINNEE-PAETT. 
 
 THE next morning, as I was quitting the house, I 
 met Victor Lecount. He had come purposely out of his 
 way to leave a note with me, which contained an invi- 
 tation to dinner for the following day, and also an apol- 
 ogy from his brother for what had occurred the night 
 before. Mr. Lecount gave no .reason for his curious 
 conduct, no doubt considering such a proceeding as 
 totally beneath him. The wording of the message was 
 stiff and cold. It was evidently written under compul- 
 sion. There was none of the warmth or impulsiveness 
 in it that denotes a generous spirit, quick to acknowl- 
 edge its own fault it was merely an apology, and 
 nothing more, the least that c6uld be offered. I turned 
 back to give my sister the other note, wishing very 
 much that I could decline the invitation it contained. 
 However, I had no real excuse, and I felt that my ab- 
 sence from the party would give pain to Mrs. Lecouut, 
 as she would naturally conclude that I had not accepted 
 her husband's apology. My mother and sister were de- 
 lighted with the idea. Any amusement that promised
 
 224 DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 to relieve the monotony of their life for a few hours was 
 always welcome. I left them discussing the never- 
 failing topic, what they should wear, and started again 
 on my long round of visits. 
 
 When I reached home that evening, I found Mr. and 
 Mrs. Masters seated comfortably in their old places, and 
 every thing looking so like the old times, that I could 
 hardly realize the changes that had taken place since I 
 had seen them last. They were so delighted at meet- 
 ing me, and we had so much to talk about, that my sis- 
 ter concluded we would sit up all night. However, as 
 they had come up for the dinner-party, to please Mrs. 
 Lecount, and intended remaining with us for a week, 
 we wished each other a reluctant good-night before 
 twelve o'clock. Mr. Masters had altered very much in 
 the three years. He was careworn, and I thought pre- 
 occupied, although he attempted a gay manner, which 
 was too forced to be like his own old one, so genial and 
 happy. Several times during the evening he seemed 
 about to tell me something ; but after a moment's re- 
 flection, in which he would brush his hair back ner- 
 vously, a favorite motion of his when thinking, he would 
 change the conversation by making a remark wholly 
 foreign to the subject under discussion. There was evi- 
 dently something on his mind that gave him much un- 
 easiness, and I at once cpnnected it with his ward and 
 her affairs, because, strange to say, neither Mr. nor Mrs. 
 Lecount had been mentioned that evening by any of us. 
 
 My own reasons for not alluding to them I did not
 
 A DmNEE-PAETY. 225 
 
 care to analyze, but Mr. Masters' silence regarding them 
 was curious ; because his ward and her happiness had 
 been favorite themes with him for years, and ones that 
 called forth all his eloquence, and his best and deepest 
 feelings. Hitherto I had shared his confidence in all 
 matters relating to her and her welfare. An absence of 
 three years was calculated to weaken that desire of his to 
 impart to me all his thoughts and misgivings concerning 
 her. He could hardly suppose that my interest in her 
 affairs was as deep as ever ; it was natural for him to 
 believe that late events had excluded all thought of her 
 from my mind, and that what affected her was a matter 
 of perfect indifference to me. I was satisfied that he 
 should have those opinions. I disliked the mere idea 
 of hearing any thing that might weaken my belief in her 
 present happiness. I was the last person in the world 
 to whom such doubts should be confided, and I did my 
 best to keep the conversation on other matters at break- 
 fast the next morning. Fortunately for me, I had to 
 leave home as soon as the meal was over, and I begged 
 of them to go without me to Mrs. Lecount's, promising 
 to be present as early as possible, but the chances were 
 that I should be detained beyond the dinner-hour. 
 
 They were gone, as I had expected, when I returned 
 that evening ; so I made my toilet as rapidly as possible, 
 and started to jf in them. The party assembled in the 
 large parlor was much more numerous than I had anti- 
 cipated. Several gentlemen, strangers to me, were 
 standing in a group near the mantel-piece, talking and 
 10*
 
 226 DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 laughing among themselves, without paying any atten- 
 tion to the other persons present. Miss Pauline, look- 
 ing brilliant as usual, was in the act of introducing 
 another to my sister. Mr. Masters was talking to Mrs. 
 Lecount, and several ladies belonging to the neighbor- 
 hood were scattered through the room, amusing them- 
 selves in the various ways customary on such occasions. 
 The place was well lighted, the ladies in full dinner-dress, 
 the apartment handsome and luxurious in its new fur- 
 niture and decorations. Over all there was that re- 
 strained stiffness which generally pervades a dinner- 
 party before dinner is announced. This evening it was 
 especially noticeable. The young couple, in whose 
 honor the party was given, had not yet made their ap- 
 pearance. The group at the fireplace seemed all in all 
 to itself, and quite adverse to becoming sociable with 
 the others in the room. Miss Pauline, though talking 
 and laughing with her usual grace, was not quite at 
 ease ; I could detect anxiety in the restless manner, and 
 the quick glances thrown now and then in the direction 
 of the staircase. There was a something, not to be ex- 
 plained, that affected all the family, in spite of their 
 gayety, and became the more apparent to me owing to 
 their persistent efforts to conceal it. I was so well 
 known to many in the room, that I only waited a mo- 
 ment for an introduction to the strangers. As it did 
 not take place, I sat down near Miss Marie, and entered 
 into conversation with her. 
 
 " It is so awkward, Doctor Wiltner," she observed ;
 
 A DINNEK-PAETY. 227 
 
 " Claude has not come down yet, and those gentlemen 
 are strangers to us. Pauline was alone when they ar- 
 rived, and she didn't catch their names distinctly when 
 they announced themselves. I begged of her to ask for 
 them again,*and introduce them to us properly, but she 
 let the time slip over, expecting Claude every minute ; 
 and so here we are in a dilemma. Mr. Masters is not 
 sufficiently acquainted with them to be of any use in the 
 matter, and Pauline is so distressed that I pity her." 
 
 " They don't appear to mind the awkwardness of 
 the affair themselves," I answered, as a general laugh 
 from the group saluted our ears. 
 
 " No, and I am sure I am very glad of it. They 
 must think it very strange, however, and Claude's ab- 
 sence is worse than all." 
 
 I made up my mind that "Claude's absence" was the 
 secret of Miss Pauline's strange lack of self-possession. 
 I began to wish as heartily as any one for his appear- 
 ance. It was long past the dinner-hour, and every one 
 in the room looked prepared for the sudden develop- 
 ment of a great mystery. At last a rustling sound on 
 the stairs drew the general attention in that direction, 
 and the next moment Mr. Lecount entered, with his wife 
 leaning on his arm. Nothing that my sister had told 
 me, of the curious change in young Mrs. Lecount's 
 manner at time^ prepared me for such a transformation 
 as I witnessed that night. That she was beautiful no 
 one could dispute, but to me such beauty only caused 
 pain. Every tinge of color had left her face ; every ex-
 
 228 DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 pression that was pleasing was gone. Her features 
 were set and rigid, as if cut in marble, and there was a 
 stony, defiant look in her eyes that brought back to my 
 memory visions of scenes that made me tremble. Even 
 the dark, heavy silk of her dress, trailing on the ground, 
 gave an unnatural height to her figure, and the absence 
 of all the usual puffs and trimmings, while it added to 
 her dignity, completely removed from her all traces of 
 girlish grace and youthfulness. She went through the 
 introductions, and spoke to her guests in a manner so 
 polite as to leave no- chance for complaint, yet so cold 
 and distant as to repel all ideas of familiarity or future 
 friendship. 
 
 Mr. Lecount talked loudly, and laughed gayly, as if 
 to make up for his wife's coolness. He apologized for 
 their late appearance in an off-hand, careless way, and 
 with some words about the known length of a lady's 
 toilet, that caused a general exclamation, and some gay 
 sallies in reply. Dinner was announced, and one of the 
 gentlemen offered his arm to Mrs. Lecount. She took 
 it, with a slight shudder, as if disliking the contact, and 
 hearing a half-repressed sigh behind me, I turned to find 
 Mr. Masters, with his eyes fixed on her face. I touched 
 his arm, for which he thanked me with a nod, and we 
 took our places at the table as careless and happy-look- 
 ing as any in the room. The gentlqjnen from New 
 York ate their dinner like men accustomed to enjoying 
 that meal. There was a gravity and premeditation 
 about all they did, that to a mere looker-on was highly
 
 A. DINNER-PAKTY. 229 
 
 amusing. They spoke but little, and what they did 
 say was addressed principally to Mr. Lecount, and was 
 all Greek to me. I observed, however, that Mr. Masters 
 listened attentively, and seemed to follow them in their 
 remarks. Young Mrs. Lecount was seated between 
 two of them ; one, a tall, dignified-looking man, with a 
 bald head, and spectacles, paid her a great deal of 
 attention, and talked fluently on various subjects of 
 interest. He was evidently more of a lady's-man 
 than the others, and much more cultivated in his 
 manners. 
 
 While they talked of stocks and bonds to the hus- 
 band, he conversed on the topics of the day with the 
 wife. She listened politely, replying now and then, 
 when required, in monosyllables. Her plates were re- 
 moved almost untouched, and I detected the sigh of 
 relief with which she rose from the table when the long, 
 formal dinner was over. The ladies gone, the gentle- 
 men drew their chairs together, and, filling their glasses, 
 renewed the conversation with increased vigor. 
 
 I learned that the tall, dignified man was Mr. Ham- 
 mond. The short, stout one, who had sat on Mrs. 
 Lecount's left, was the president of a new mining com- 
 pany. The other three, one of whom was Mr. Walker, 
 were thin, sharp-looking men, with overhanging brows, 
 compressed lips, and a certain hard, shrewd expression 
 in their eyes, which spoke volumes. Had I been a 
 speculator, I might have learned much of the inside 
 machinery set in motion by these arrangers of joint-
 
 230 DR. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 stock companies. As it was, their terms and expres- 
 sions were quite new to me ; and I looked at them, and 
 listened to their schemes for making money rapidly, 
 with as much amazement as if they were the real origi- 
 nators of the designs that they sought to carry out suc- 
 cessfully. 
 
 That there was any thing but money worth having 
 in the world seemed a most preposterous idea, to judge 
 from their conversation. They spoke of thousands and 
 millions in the same tone that I would mention tens 
 and hundreds ; and it did appear strange that I should 
 work hard for years in order to amass the sum that they 
 talked of realizing by the operations of a single day. 
 Still, on looking at their hard, careworn faces, out of 
 which all that spoke of youth and feeling had entirely 
 disappeared, I felt that I would not be willing to change 
 places with one of them. I noticed several things thsft 
 evening, although it was some time afterward when I 
 understood their full meaning. 
 
 Mr. Lecount seemed irritable and restless. He filled 
 his glass quite often, and drank in a careless, hasty way, 
 as "if only half conscious o Avhat he was doing. His 
 father had left the room to attend to some law business, 
 and Victor had joined the ladies in the parlor. Mr. 
 Masters was a quiet, observant listener, and appeared 
 to be weighing well every word that wa littered, and 
 I felt a conviction that his presence was causing Mr. 
 Lecount's uneasiness. Meanwhile, the short, stout gen- 
 tleman enjoyed his wine and the dessert, stopping now
 
 A DINNEB-PABTY. 231 
 
 and then in the midst of a story to crack a nut or put 
 a fig in his mouth. There was something very unpre- 
 possessing about his face and in his manner. I disliked 
 the studied laugh with which he ended his remarks, and 
 he told some stories that were not only coarse in them- 
 selves, and calculated to lower a man's opinion of 
 women in general, but, in view of the fact that he had 
 just been introduced to the wife of his host, were cer- 
 tainly in the very worst taste. The style in which 
 he told them added to their unpleasantness, and I felt a 
 great desire stealing over me to throw him out of the 
 window which was open behind him. His facetiousness 
 and levity contrasted well with the gravity and bu- 
 siness-like air of the others. They laughed at his 
 stories, and encouraged him to proceed, but I was not 
 much astonished when I heard afterward that he was a 
 mere puppet in their hands. Mr. Hammond sipped his 
 wine slowly, and built little pyramids of orange seeds 
 on the table-cloth, casting curious glances at Mr. 
 Masters, and making but few remarks. Now and then, 
 when referred to by Mr. Walker, he would explain 
 fluently and elegantly the*properties of certain kinds 
 of earth, and the wealth that lay hidden in them. He 
 knew the value of land in all the different States, and 
 talked so well and learnedly on the subject, that I did 
 not wonder at the influence he exerted over Mr. Lecount. 
 He was certainly most fascinating, both from his ex- 
 tended knowledge, and the graceful manner in which 
 he dispensed it. He was a fine theorist. Having heard
 
 232 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 him describe how fortunes might be made by skilfully 
 uniting science with labor, it seemed the easiest thing 
 in the world to be worth millions. 
 
 I began to wonder if the practice of his superior 
 knowledge and fine theories had placed him in the pos- 
 session of unbounded wealth. Surely, if he could tell 
 others just what to do in order to turn every thing they 
 touched into gold, he himself must be a perfect Croesus. 
 His appearance would warrant such a supposition. His 
 clothes were costly, and his hands white and soft as a 
 woman's. They had never been soiled by manual la- 
 bor his head had saved them from such a necessity. 
 I felt myself sharing in the general admiration that he 
 excited, and I could not help wishing that all Mr. Le- 
 count's friends were equally gentlemanly and well-in- 
 formed. That any one could associate with the short, 
 stout gentleman, whom they called Phil, and not be 
 contaminated, was out of the question. I feared the 
 effect of such an intercourse on a character like Mr. 
 Lecount's. He lost dignity in the companionship, a fact 
 which was already visible when we rose from the table. 
 Mr. Lecount was flushed and unsteady, with a reckless, 
 daring expression in his face, and an unpleasant glitter 
 in his eyes. 
 
 " Come, Phil ! " he shouted. " Come into the par- 
 lor, and the ladies will give us some music." 
 
 Happily, Phil, or rather, Mr. Hunter, to give him 
 his proper name, knew more of his own condition than 
 Mr. Lecount did. He obstinately refused to move, so
 
 A DINNEE-PAKTY. 233 
 
 we left him sitting near the window, with the pure, 
 fresh air blowing on his heated face. 
 
 "We had to cross the broad hall to reach the parlor, 
 and the doors being all wide open, I caught sight of 
 young Mrs. Lecount, seated near one of the windows. 
 She looked up quickly on hearing our steps and voices, 
 and Mr. Masters and I noticed the dull, despairing ex- 
 pression that settled on her face when her eyes fell on 
 her husband, as he came through the hall, looking quite 
 wild, and switching his handkerchief in the air. "With 
 an exclamation of disgust Mr. Masters turned away and 
 went out through the open door. Mr. Hammond took 
 a seat near Mrs. Lecount, and began a conversation on 
 the new opera company promised to them in the fall. 
 He had heard several of the singers in Europe, and he 
 discussed their voices and styles, described their rela- 
 tive merits, and explained their chief attractions, using 
 Numerous musical terms in Italian with the ease and 
 fluency of an old manager. Mrs. Lecount listened, as- 
 sented, and disapproved, while he gave his recollections 
 of Grisi and Mario, compared Formes and Amodio, crit- 
 icised Alboni, and lavished encomiums on La Grange. 
 In spite of his powers of conversation and the interest 
 of the subject, Mrs. Lecount often made absent-minded 
 replies, and her eyes wandered constantly toward her 
 husband, where he stood talking earnestly to Mr. 
 "Walker in rather loud tones. The words "fifty per 
 cent.," " poor stock," " going up rapidly," " none in the 
 market," " humbug," " credit," fell on our ears, mingled
 
 234: DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 with opinions on " Norma," " Belisario," " Ernani," and 
 other operas, in the low, measured tones of Mr. Ham- 
 mond. 
 
 " Claude, will you never become tired of stocks and 
 bonds ? Do come here and tell us which opera you pre- 
 fer," Miss Pauline at last remarked, with a significant 
 glance which was quite unheeded by her brother. 
 
 " I am so fond of music ! will you favor me with 
 some ? " asked Mr. Hammond, looking at Miss Pauline. 
 
 She went to the piano and played an air with bril- 
 liant variations. It had an effect. Mr. Hammond was 
 bending over her the next moment, watching her slen- 
 der fingers as they touched the keys. Stocks were for- 
 gotten for the moment, and Mr. Lecount approached 
 his wife. 
 
 " I want you to sing that little song from ' Mari- 
 tafia,' ' The memory of the past.' Mr. Hammond was 
 speaking of it the other day." 
 
 It was the first time that Mr. Lecount had addressed 
 his wife that evening, and his manner of doing it was 
 rather curious. She clasped her hands and looked in 
 his face. 
 
 " Not that song ; don't ask for that to-night, Claude," 
 she said, imploringly, and in a softened tone of voice. 
 For the moment she was like her old self. 
 
 " And why not to-night ? What is there in that 
 any more than in any other song, noic ? They avo all 
 alike. I hate sentimentalism ! " 
 
 " Then, if all songs are alike, I shall sing something
 
 A DINNEK-PARTY. 235 
 
 else," Mrs. Lecount answered coldly, with an instant 
 return to her haughty manner. 
 
 " You will- sing what I asked for first," Mr. Lecount 
 said, offering his arm. .She rose and walked to the 
 piano without touching it or looking at him. Miss 
 Pauline made room for her smilingly, and every one in 
 the place became instantly silent. Mr. Hammond lis- 
 tened with astonishment at first, which gave place to 
 admiration, as the clear, sweet voice filled the room. 
 She sang with an expression born of real feeling, and 
 with a passionate sadness that proved to me the pres- 
 ence of true sorrow in her heart. 
 
 Mr. Masters had entered the room, attracted by the 
 music, and Mr. Hunter also appeared on the scene. 
 Mrs. Lecount sang again and again at the earnest en- 
 treaties of Mr. Hammond and her husband's requests, 
 which were, in reality, commands. It was a late hour 
 when the party broke up, and Mr. Masters walked home 
 without opening his lips, a very bad sign with him. He 
 took his lamp and nodded good-night to us in the same 
 manner, and Mrs. Masters followed him with an expres- 
 sive glance and a sorrowful shake of her head. Alto- 
 gether it was the most curious dinner-party that I had 
 ever assisted at, and had signally failed in giving pleas- 
 ure to some of the guests. 
 
 " Don't tell me that Belle is happy, John ! " said 
 my sister, the moment my mother had left the room. 
 " If you like to think so, you may, but it will take a 
 great deal to make me believe it. I never saw any-
 
 236 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 body so changed as she is ; and as for Claude, if that is 
 all New York has done for him, he might Letter have 
 remained at home here. Mrs. Hope says he looks ten 
 years older than he did when he was here last, and that 
 was just before his marriage. It is well that none of 
 the neighbors knew much about Belle ; they would be 
 more astonished at the alteration in her. I was glad 
 that Mr. and Mrs. Lecount and Marie were so pleasant ; 
 they made the affair go off well. As for Pauline, she 
 was nearly crazy, and I can't wonder at it." 
 
 " Then you think that no one noticed any thing odd 
 about young Mr. Lecount and his wife ? " 
 
 " I didn't hear any remarks of that kind. They all 
 thought Belle very beautiful and very distant. How- 
 ever, they seem to think that the latter quality belongs 
 to city people, and I did not undeceive them. I sup- 
 pose you know that the gentlemen are all going away 
 next week to examine some water-power in Connecti- 
 cut, and Belle has to go along with them. Claude in- 
 tends to remain there two months at least, and it is 
 decided that she and Arthur will stay with him." 
 
 " And Miss Pauline ? " 
 
 " Oh ! she goes too. She is in raptures with the 
 place already. Mr. Hammond has described it so beau- 
 tifully, they anticipate a great amount of pleasure. It is 
 very wild, and so picturesque ; just the place for pic- 
 nics and boating-parties." 
 
 " Mr. Hammond is quite fascinating," I remarked. 
 
 " Yes ; he is a gentleman as far as we can see. I
 
 A DINNER-PAETY. 237 
 
 wish that the same might be said of Mr. Hunter. Poor 
 Belle actually shivered when he took her hand in his. 
 Imagine having to spend some time in his company, and 
 sit down to dinner with him every day ! I do wonder 
 where Claude makes the acquaintance of such people." 
 
 " And I wonder how he dares to introduce them to 
 his wife." 
 
 " That is a fact. If I were Belle, I should refuse to 
 receive them." 
 
 " If you were Belle, you might discover that you 
 couldn't always carry out your own ideas. As long as 
 she remains under her husband's protection, she is bound 
 to obey him, no matter what the effort to do so may 
 cost her. The fault lies with him altogether ; he has 
 no business to invite such men to his house, just because 
 it is his, and he can bring whom he likes into it. He 
 should respect her tastes ; and he must know that persons 
 of Mr. Hunter's stamp are entirely beneath her notice." 
 
 " Well, John, it all comes of these stocks and bonds. 
 Mr. Masters says he cannot help meeting with these 
 men in business connections, and he is so absorbed in 
 the matter that he is not satisfied with seeing them out 
 of doors, but must have them home in the evening. No 
 wonder Belle looks changed ; she must be thoroughly 
 tired of entertaining speculators. Claude has lost his 
 taste for music ; she has hardly a new song, and she 
 don't speak as if she visited much. I can't imagine how 
 she amuses herself, unless it is in taking care of Arthur, 
 She is neither old enough nor worldly-minded enough
 
 238 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 to throw herself into fashionable amusements as other 
 women do when their husbands desert their society for 
 that of these fascinating stockholders. She is just the 
 girl to place all her affections on her husband, and de- 
 pend on him for all her happiness. If he fails her, she 
 will fret and mope ; but it will be some time before she 
 undertakes to find amusements for herself that he can't 
 share in. I don't understand the matter at all, and I 
 never think of it without pain. After all our efforts and 
 successes, we have failed in accomplishing the chief- end 
 that we had in view. Belle is not happy ; nothing can 
 convince me to the contrary."
 
 CHAPTER X. 
 
 A TALK WITII ME. MASTEKS. 
 
 MY sister's opinion, so freely expressed, caused me 
 much uneasiness, and Mr. Masters', when I beard it, 
 only augmented my fears. The next day, after dinner, 
 he called to me to join him in the garden, where he was 
 walking without his usual accompaniment, a good cigar, 
 and its absence was a very bad sign with him. His man- 
 ner was nervous and irritable, and his eyes searched my 
 face with a troubled, restless expression in them, as if he 
 needed help, but saw no way of obtaining it. I had 
 been absent since the morning, and was ignorant of 
 how he had spent his day. 
 
 " What am I to do ? " he began, drawing my arm 
 through his and looking around to see that no one was 
 within hearing distance. " What can I do ? What did 
 you think of Mr. Hammond yesterday ? " 
 
 " I rather admired him," I answered. " He is a gen- 
 tleman in manner and appearance, at least, and his knowl- 
 edge is very general and correct as far as I can judge." 
 
 Mr. Masters sighed, and shook his head.
 
 240 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 " That is the trouble. I cannot succeed in exciting 
 the least suspicion of him in any one, and I can prove 
 very little to his discredit, although my own mind is 
 fully made up about him." 
 
 " What do you fear ? " I asked, looking and feeling 
 astonished at his words. 
 
 " Fear ? I fear every thing that is bad for Claude 
 Lecount. He is in the hands of an unprincipled set of 
 men, but I dread Mr. Hammond more than all the 
 others together. His very plausibility and modesty 
 are, in my eyes, his worst features. But, to make you 
 understand what I mean, I must tell you how things 
 have been going on for the last two years. I think 
 that Mr. Hammond's influence has controlled Claude 
 for that length of time. I know that he was inclined 
 to speculate before he married Belle. Mr. Walker's 
 success gave him a taste for it. At first he was gov- 
 erned by Walker's advice, and he always told me what 
 he had in contemplation. The schemes were generally 
 good ones, but very slow in bringing in returns for the 
 sums laid out on them. He sunk in that way a great 
 deal of the money that I had realized for his wife. It 
 had been made by the investment of part of her yearly 
 interest from the estate, and, as it was outside of her 
 regular income, I was satisfied to let him use it as he 
 pleased. When it was all withdrawn from where I 
 had it paying interest, and sunk in his speculations, I 
 thought that he would bo satisfied to await the results, 
 
 O 
 
 and, in the mean time, prosecute his legitimate busi
 
 A TALK WITH MB. MASTERS. 24:1 
 
 ness. I was mistaken. Mr. Hammond all at once gave 
 up Mr. Walker, and attached himself to Mr. Lecount. 
 What they are doing I cannot tell, being no longer ad- 
 mitted into their confidence. It is quite enough for me 
 to know that during the last two years their income has 
 not met their expenses, and I have had to advance 
 money to Belle before her own was due, so that she 
 could pay her house bills. In all justice, they should 
 be able to live well, and save every year some thou- 
 sands of dollars. The money is paid into Mr. Lecount's 
 hands, and I know that Mrs. Lecount is not personally 
 more extravagant than is allowable ; still it all goes 
 how, I cannot make out. It is a hard task to warn a 
 wife against her husband, and so far I have not been 
 able to make up my mind to do it! Last week I made 
 a discovery which convinces me that Claude will squan- 
 der all she has unless I interfere. It was that discovery 
 that brought me up here now. This morning I tried to 
 tell it to my ward, but I found it utterly impossible to 
 break it to her. I went up to the house for no other 
 purpose. I felt sure that the gentlemen would be out, 
 and I was right they were all gone fishing. She came 
 down to me, looking so sweet and innocent, with her 
 child in her arms, and so bright and happy, that I could 
 not bring the words out. They would have choked me ; 
 and yet the attempt must be made, and that at once." 
 
 " Then you thought she looked happy," I said. 
 
 "Yes, totally different from yesterday. She was 
 gentle and childish, as she used to be. I think, if she 
 11
 
 242 DR. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 had been in the same mood that she was in last night, I 
 could have explained every thing to her without an ef- 
 fort ; she would have seemed ready to hear it ; hut the 
 change in her destroyed all my plans, and although the 
 ladies left us, and I had a fine opportunity of opening 
 my mind to her, I came away without even hinting at 
 the subject that interests me." 
 
 " And you say that it is necessary for her to know 
 it?" 
 
 "Let me tell you, Doctor Wilmer. Last week I 
 found out that Claude had been indorsing for Mr. 
 Hammond to the extent of ten thousand dollars. That 
 startled me. Next I heard that Mr. Lecount was ne- 
 gotiating for a heavy loan, for which a mortgage would 
 be given on a valuable piece of her property that is at 
 present free of all encumbrance. I connected the two 
 things at once. She is only a woman, and she loves' her 
 husband ; if Mr. Hammond cannot take up his own pa- 
 per, Claude must, and she will sacrifice every thing to 
 preserve his credit. All this is under the supposition 
 that she understands the whole affair ; but, if Claude 
 don't care to let his wife into his secrets, a very little 
 persuasion on his part will suffice, and she will sign 
 every thing that he puts before her without having the 
 least idea of the importance of what she does." 
 
 "Have you made any inquiries about Mr. Ham- 
 mond ? " I asked, feeling more and more the reasona- 
 bleness of the old man's anxiety. 
 
 " I have ; it was my first move ; and the more I
 
 A TALK WITH ME. MASTERS. 24:3 
 
 learned of him, the more cause I had for uneasiness. 
 So far she has not signed the papers. I have now to 
 show her the reasons why she must not be induced to 
 do such a thing, and obtain her solemn promise that 
 she will not be urged or forced to put her signature to 
 any paper without my knowledge and consent. It is a 
 hard duty, that you must admit, and I fear I shall lose 
 my friend ; but Arthur Ferris's daughter shall not be 
 ruined by these sharpers if I can prevent it, and I shall 
 use all my influence to counteract their schemes. Will 
 you aid me ? " 
 
 " I will ! " I said, grasping the hand he held out to 
 me. " Courage ! think of how many dangers she has 
 escaped, and don't despair of saving her from this 
 one ! " 
 
 The old man raised his head, brushed a few tears 
 away, and smiled brightly, as if imbued with fresh 
 energy. 
 
 " You do me good," he said, with one of his honest 
 glances searching my face. " I shall feel quite strong 
 and able to meet them all if I have you to stand by me. 
 Mrs. Masters always insisted that you had more influ- 
 ence over Belle than all the rest of us put together. If 
 it com.es to the worst, you must promise to test it again." 
 
 " I am afraid you overrate my powers," I said, think- 
 ing of the effort that such an interview would cost me. 
 
 " Well, I shall not call upon you unless it becomes 
 absolutely necessary. The matter must be settled soon. 
 I understand she accompanies her husband to Connect!-
 
 24:4: DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 cut ; that affair depends on the other. He cannot em- 
 bark in the speculation without a new supply of ready 
 money, which money he, of course, expects to raise on 
 her property. If I succeed, that speculation will have 
 to be abandoned, and so what I intend to do must be 
 done at once." 
 
 " You should see her, then, to-morrow. A great deal 
 can be done in one day, and Mr. Lecount may wish to be 
 sure of the money before he examines the investment." 
 
 " That is true. I shall lose no more time in securing 
 Mrs. Lecount's promise. If I can only convince her of 
 Mr. Hammond's lack of standing or reputation, the mat- 
 ter will be easy after the first plunge. That is what 
 I dread. I went to the hotel where Mr. Hammond 
 stops, and inquired about him. You would be amused 
 at the answers I received. It seems that he sometimes 
 sleeps in the house, but he has no regular room. He 
 calls every day, however, for his letters, which are di- 
 rected there, and meets gentlemen very often by ap- 
 pointment in the reading-room. He has given some 
 dinners there, and the clerk seemed very much im- 
 pressed with his importance, and has an idea that, when 
 not there, Mr. Hammond is stopping by invitation at 
 the house of one of his very numerous friends." 
 
 " The idea is a true one at present," I said, laughing. 
 
 "You're right. For once, at least, the clerk is not 
 mistaken. The trouble is, that the man could give me 
 no further intelligence, except that he came from St. 
 Louid. I went at once to a friend of mine who has busi-
 
 A TALK WTm MK. MASTERS. . 245 
 
 ness connections there, and asked him to make inquiries 
 about this Mr. Hammond for me." 
 
 " Well, and the result" 
 
 " Justified all my fears. Mr. Hammond represents 
 himself as a man of property and position. The only 
 person of the name that my friend could discover any 
 thing about was a well-known gambler and sharper who 
 left there some years ago. He belonged to a respect- 
 able family, was well educated, and started in life with 
 some means left him by his father. My friend met sev- 
 eral old residents there, who knew all about him, and 
 their description of him answers for this gentleman who 
 has acquired such an influence over Claude. There is no 
 doubt in my mind but that they are one and the same 
 person. These people even mentioned his amount of 
 general information, and said how extraordinary it \vas 
 that a man possessed of so 'much knowledge had made 
 so little use of it. They attributed this to his natural 
 indolence and his early association. When he left col- 
 lege he joined a fast set, and lived on his money till it 
 was all squandered. By that time he had grown so 
 accustomed to a life of ease and pleasure that applica- 
 tion to any one pursuit required a steadiness and energy 
 that he had outlived, allowing that he had ever pos- 
 sessed them, which I doubt very much. The result is, 
 that he lives partly by gambling, and principally by 
 attaching himself to men of means, winning their confi- 
 dence by his polished manners and agreeable informa- 
 tion, and borrowing money from them by representing
 
 246 DE. WTLMER'S LOVE. 
 
 that he is rich and willing to pay a heavy rate of inter- 
 est for the loan." 
 
 " And is there no way of convincing Mr. Lecount of 
 his true character ? " 
 
 " So far I have been foiled in every attempt that I 
 have made. Mr. Lecount is young, and, if I must say 
 it, lacks foresight. The fact of having a rich wife is 
 likely to ruin him if some change is not effected in him 
 soon. It will take him years to make the sum that he 
 has committed himself for, and I am quite willing that 
 his money should go in that way, if he would only earn 
 it by practising law. In time he would master his pro- 
 fession and have the means to indulge in these rash 
 speculations, although I think that if he had to work 
 for the money he would not risk it so foolishly. As it 
 is, his business is neglected, and he seems to think that 
 his wife's fortune is inexhaustible, and quite at his dis- 
 posal to throw away and lend as he pleases." 
 
 " He is still very young," I said. 
 
 " Yes, and his youth may excuse his rashness, but it 
 does not excuse his presumption and want of respect for 
 older and wiser heads. I told him, before he married 
 Belle, that I was satisfied that she should marry a poor 
 man, provided he had a good calling in life that he was 
 willing to pursue honestly and steadily. It made no 
 difference to me what it was, so long as it might be 
 named as fair and legitimate. I told him that she had 
 enough and to spare, and could assist him whenever he 
 saw a good opportunity for investing money. I knew
 
 A TALK WITH ME. MASTERS. 24:7 
 
 that Belle only valued her money for the good it would 
 do, and I did not like to hurt his pride, or let him feel 
 for one moment that his wife was conferring any favors 
 on him. For that reason I showed him all that I was 
 doing, and explained every thing connected with her 
 affairs to him. I placed all her income in his hands ; 
 she would not have it otherwise, and the first thing she 
 requested him to do for her was to put his father's 
 house in perfect order. Her delicacy was almost mor- 
 bid in every thing relating to money ; every dollar she 
 spends passes through his hands before she has it, and 
 she is careful in every way about offending his pride. 
 No one would ever suppose for one moment that the 
 money he uses so lavishly comes from her, and that 
 his complete power over it is the result of her perfect 
 trust in his good faith. One might think that her care- 
 lessness proceeded from ignorance ; but it is not the 
 case. She understands her own position thoroughly. I 
 was determined that she should. I made her apply all 
 she had learned about interest, dividends, and per cent, 
 by comprehending her own affairs. If she signs these 
 papers, however, before I see her, the probability is that 
 she will not fully understand them ; if she does it after- 
 ward, I shall know that, at any rate, she is fully con- 
 scious of the importance of the action." 
 
 " But you hope to prevent such an unfortunate thing 
 being accomplished ? " 
 
 " Yes, I hope it. When I look back on the last three 
 years, and think how Mr. Lecount has abused the confi-
 
 248 DE. WILHER'S LOVE. 
 
 dence placed in him by his wife and her friends, I lose 
 all compunctions about showing her her husband's char- 
 acter in its true light." 
 
 " It is a difficult thing to do tinder any circum- 
 stances, and particularly so in your case. Is there no 
 alternative ? Can you not reason with him ? " 
 
 " Reason with him, Doctor Wilmer ! I have tried 
 every argument applicable to the case. I even told him 
 that I considered these transactions dishonest when car- 
 ried on with his wife's money. I said that, even if he 
 had earned it himself, it would be wrong to risk her 
 comfort and the means of supporting her by such doubt- 
 ful speculations. He answered me rudely, and declared 
 that, if we were to remain friends, it could only be 
 through my paying no attention to his affairs. I said 
 that I considered it my affair in a measure; and his an- 
 swer was, that, once I paid the yearly income into his 
 hands to use for his family's good, all my interest in it 
 ceased. I blame myself now for giving him so much 
 power in the matter, but, at the time, it appeared to be 
 the best thing for their happiness that I could do. 
 This last year he has been worse than ever ; as I told 
 you, I have had to advance money to them to meet ex- 
 penses. If he makes any thing in his business, it goes 
 with the rest, and if he were to succeed in what he con- 
 templates at present, she would be ruined before the 
 time that her father appointed for her to come into full 
 control of her property. She is now nearly twenty-four, 
 and at thirty-five all my interest in the matter ceases.
 
 A TALK WITn ME. MASTERS. 249 
 
 Then she can do as she pleases. Mr. Lecount may 
 start what speculations he sees fit. One of his recent 
 investments is a diamond-mine in Brazil, and most of 
 his others are just about equally sensible and profitable. 
 They sound amusing, and I might laugh at them if they 
 concerned a stranger, but I cannot take the matter easy 
 when Belle is to be the loser. 
 
 " Any thing I can do to help you I will," I said. 
 " Arrange some plan for speaking to her, and we will 
 assist you in accomplishing it." 
 
 " I need not tell you that Claude no longer likes me ; 
 you must have noticed last evening how restive he was 
 because I remained after dinner with his friends. I 
 knew he did not want me there, but my suspicions were 
 aroused, and I was determined to hear all I could. He 
 attempted to stop them several times, but they let 
 enough drop to satisfy me. He has tried to quarrel 
 with me more than once, but he did not succeed. I 
 understand him. He would be delighted to prevent me 
 meeting his wife. However, I shall put up with any 
 thing from him for the sake of seeing her now and then, 
 and watching over her. She seldom comes near us 
 now, never in the evening except by invitation. Only 
 for her morning visits, when she brings her child and 
 his nurse with her, I don't know what would become 
 of my wife and me. We have grown so used to her 
 and so fond of her, that the idea of gradually losing her 
 is very hard to bear. I know that she feels the influ- 
 ence that is separating us, but she does not like to ac- 
 11*
 
 250 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 knowledge it to herself, and she tries to hide it from us. 
 In some things she is but a child still. Now, my idea 
 is this. Let us all go up there to-night for a short time. 
 I ought to leave for home to-morrow, and if I can succeed 
 in warning her it can pass for a farewell visit, as there 
 is a necessity for my presence in New York, and noth- 
 ing but this affair to detain me here. Of course, I shall 
 remain longer if not successful to-night, and shall de- 
 pend on you to keep Miss Pauline engaged in conversa- 
 tion in another part of the room." 
 
 I promised, and we returned to the house to prepare 
 for the visit. 
 
 When we reached Mr. Lecount's, there was a noisy 
 party assembled at the dinner-table ; we could hear their 
 voices and loud laughter before we caught sight of the 
 gentlemen themselves, which we did through the open 
 blinds as we approached the house. When we entered 
 the parlor, young Mrs. Lecount was absent from the 
 family circle gathered round the centre-table. Our 
 coming caused no surprise, as it was the custom for 
 neighbors to drop in upon each other whenever they 
 felt like it. 
 
 The ladies looked very bright and handsome, and, 
 with their various pieces of gay fancy-work in their 
 hands, were quite ready for visitors and a long gossip. 
 The formality of the preceding day had disappeared, 
 and the usual ease and graceful merriment, always so 
 enjoyable, were in the ascendant. Mrs. Lecount had 
 nearly regained her health, and was, if any thing, more
 
 A TALK WITII MK. MASTERS. 251 
 
 fascinating than her handsome daughters. My admira- 
 tion for her was. an understood thing, so she made room 
 for me on the sofa, with a bright smile, and, placing her 
 skein of wool over my hands, went on winding it as if 
 my holding it were the most natural and regular thing 
 in the world. 
 
 " Where is Belle ? " called out my sister, with a 
 glance that took in all the recesses in the room. 
 
 Mrs. Lecount looked at her daughter and then at 
 me, without answering. 
 
 " She is not quite well " commenced Miss Pauline. 
 
 " Now, Pauline, why do you say that to frighten 
 Mr. Masters and every one else ? " said Miss Marie, in 
 her own straightforward manner, and looking full in 
 her sister's face. " The truth is,"- she went on, lowering 
 her voice, "Belle does not like one of Claude's friends 
 well enough to meet him again at the table, and so, 
 under plea of a slight headache, she has remained up- 
 stairs all the evening. I think she is quite right I 
 would do the same thing myself. That Mr. Hunter is 
 not a gentleman, and she cannot put up with his impu- 
 dent familiarity. Her head must ache enough now, for 
 her chamber is over the dining-room, and his voice is loud 
 enough to be heard all over the house. If he goes with 
 the others to Connecticut, I can't imagine what Belle 
 will do. She told me distinctly, this morning, that she 
 would not meet him again." 
 
 "Let me go up to her," said my sister; "Mr. 
 Masters thinks of leaving us in the morning, and I am
 
 252 DK. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 sure she will want to see him. I know she will come 
 down for me." 
 
 " Tell her Mr. Hunter is still at the table, and not 
 likely to leave it for some time. She may venture down 
 for a few minutes," Miss Marie said, half laughingly. 
 
 " And if Arthur is awake, tell her to bring him down 
 too I want to see him," added Mrs. Masters. 
 
 My sister left the room, and Mr. Masters waited im- 
 patiently for his ward's appearance. 
 
 Miss Pauline seemed ill at ease, and cast longing 
 glances toward the open door of the dining-room, as if 
 wishing for the presence of the gentlemen in the parlor. 
 Her answers to my remarks were quite vague and 
 absent-minded, and I felt that she dreaded a meeting 
 between Mr. Masters* and her sister-in-law, without 
 knowing exactly what to do to prevent it. 
 
 In a few minutes young Mrs. Lecount entered, with 
 her child half asleep in her arms. She gave him to Mrs. 
 Masters, fondly kissing the old lady as she did so. 
 
 " I was just rocking him to sleep when you came in," 
 she said ; " I am so glad to see you all ! but why must 
 you return to New York to-morrow ? " and she put her 
 hand on Mr. Masters' arm, and looked into his face ap- 
 pealingly, as if afraid of losing a certain support with 
 his departure. 
 
 He drew her arm in his, and walked off to the end 
 of the long room, with some gay answer as to satisfying 
 her curiosity. They stood for some time near a distant 
 window, and then sat down, almost concealed from
 
 A TALK WITH MB. MASTERS. 253 
 
 view by its heavy curtains, and the shadow of a large 
 book-case that stood near b) Miss Pauline watched 
 them suspiciously, but suddenly becoming conscious of 
 my observation, she joined in the conversation caused 
 by little Arthur's baby-prattle and mischief. He was 
 sitting quite contentedly with Mrs. Masters, flourishing 
 about an expensive fan of his aunt's, that he had 
 snatched off one of the little tables. My sister was 
 making quiet efforts to take it from him, as it was 
 threatened -with speedy destruction, and the young 
 gentleman seemed just as determined to retain posses- 
 sion of it. His attempts to open and use it in imitation 
 of his aunt would have been quite amusing, if the toy 
 had been less costly. At last his movements attracted 
 Miss Pauline's attention, and she forgot for a time Mr. 
 Masters and his ward ! 
 
 " You little mischief, " she exclaimed, rising hastily. 
 " Give it to me this instant ! " 
 
 Master Arthur only clutched it the tighter as she 
 spoke, and began to scream for his mother. Miss Pau- 
 line caught his hands and rescued her fan, while his 
 cries rose higher and louder, and in the midst of the 
 excitement the gentlemen sauntered into the room. 
 Mr. Lecount looked around him as if astonished. 
 
 " Have done, sir ! " he said to his child, in a decided 
 tone. The little fellow choked back his sobs, and 
 obeyed instantly ; then he fixed his eyes on his father's 
 face, while the tears trickled down his pretty cheeks, 
 but without moving or attempting to say a word.
 
 254 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 Mr. Hammond stopped to look at him, with some 
 remark on his beauty. _ 
 
 " Where is his nurse ? " asked Mr. Lecount, turning 
 to his sister, as if weary of the scene. 
 
 "I shall take him," answered a soft voice, and 
 young Mrs. Lecount came forward, followed by Mr. 
 Masters. She took her child in her arms, bowed dis- 
 tantly to all in the room, and went up-stairs. Her face 
 was white and rigid, and her eyes looked as if she had 
 been crying. Mr. Lecount, for a moment, stood con- 
 fused, and an angry glare flashed in his eyes ; but he 
 recovered himself quickly, and spoke to us as usual. 
 "We did not remain long that evening. Mr. Masters 
 was not in a sociable mood, and refused to join the 
 other gentlemen in a game of vingt-et-un, which they 
 were enjoying very much. I felt that we were a re- 
 straint on them, and I think that they were relieved 
 when we rose to say good-night. "When we reached 
 home, Mr. Masters took my arm and told me the result 
 of his interview with his ward, while we walked up and 
 down the long piazza. 
 
 "You would hardly have given her credit for so 
 much sense and spirit," he said. " Her husband wished 
 her to sign those papers in New York, and he has urged 
 her to consent repeatedly, since they came here. She 
 refused steadily to do it, unless I approved of the meas- 
 ure. She wanted him to show me the papers the other 
 day. His anger at the proposition raised her curiosity, 
 and she discovered that I knew nothing from him about
 
 A TALK WITH MK. MASTERS. 255 
 
 the matter. Then she told him that she disliked the 
 friends that he has with him, a/id felt that their influ- 
 ence over him was injurious, and could only lead to 
 evil. She says, that only for Hunter, she thinks she 
 would have signed them some days ago, but she over- 
 heard him asking Claude if they were all right, and 
 her dislike of the man made her suspicious. She said, 
 very innocently, that she did not think any thing he 
 recommended could be good for Claude. She tried to 
 screen Claude all she could, but I know that he has 
 been very rough with her, and I intend to tell him what 
 I think of this affair before long. When I explained 
 about Hammond's notes, she begged of me to think of 
 'some plan for saving her husband's credit. She knows, 
 as well as I do, that neither party will be able to take 
 them up. So I consented to get possession of them for 
 her, and she promised that she would sign nothing 
 without my knowledge. She feels as I do about these 
 speculations, and is just as much opposed to sinking 
 good money in them. Of course, she realizes the waste 
 that has been going on, and, what is more, she has 
 penetrated Mr. Hammond's designs, and distrusts him 
 entirely. She thinks he is too complimentary to be 
 sincere, and he annoys her with his attentions. She 
 quite astonished me ; I did not give her credit for so 
 much shrewdness." 
 
 " I think," I said, " that she possesses the gift of 
 reading character, but what surprises me is, her lack of 
 influence with Mr. Lccount."
 
 256 DR. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 " I have often wondered at it too. After they were 
 married a short time, she seemed to lose it, not gradual- 
 ly, but all at once. I have often noticed the change in 
 his manner toward her. He shows neither tenderness 
 nor respect, and yet she has not lost her claim on both. 
 She has never lowered herself in his estimation, and she 
 is still young and beautiful. I know that, womanlike, 
 she has tried every thing in her power to wean him from 
 these men, from gentle persuasion to downright opposi- 
 tion, as we saw to-night. One seems to be about as 
 effective as the other. All the love in the world won't 
 save a man from ruin if he is determined not to use his 
 own reasoning powers. Nothing will stop Claude but 
 want of means, and as long as his wife's property yields 
 money, he will sink every cent he can gain possession 
 of. She will have many a hard struggle to save what, 
 her father left her, and I anticipate a stormy interview 
 with Mr. Claude after he hears of what took place to- 
 night." 
 
 " What a position for her ! " I said, almost uncon- 
 sciously. Mr. Masters heard me. 
 
 " Yes, I was sorry for it, but what could I do ? It 
 was an ungrateful task to tell a wife to disobey her hus- 
 band; but I should be false to my trust if I let him 
 beggar her and himself; and it would take more money 
 than I could furnish to meet his demands. He will be 
 angry enough, for this Connecticut expedition must be 
 given up, and how he will manage to excuse himself 
 and his capital to the gentlemen, is more than I can
 
 A TALK WITH ME. MASTERS. 257 
 
 imagine. Only for her, I could laugh at the idea of 
 their faces when he tells them that he cannot par- 
 ticipate in their immense profits and losses." 
 
 The next morning Mr. Masters left us for New 
 York. His wife remained, hoping to see more of her 
 darling, but for several days we saw nothing of the 
 Lecount family. "We heard that the gentlemen from 
 New York were still there ; and once or twice, when 
 returning home late at night, I had seen lights in the 
 house, and heard loud voices proceeding from it through 
 the open windows. My sister was busy making her 
 winter preserves, and besides, a little ceremonious. 
 She thought it was time for Belle and Pauline to call on 
 us. One morning, contrary to my usual habit, I was 
 in my office attending to a patient, when I heard a loud 
 barking, and considerable screaming. I looked out of 
 the window, and saw Master Arthur Lecount with his 
 arms around Dash's shaggy neck, attempting to climb 
 on his back. His mother was looking at him, half 
 frightened, half delighted at his courage, and his nurse 
 was holding him back with an energy almost ludicrous. 
 As usual, the child gained the day ; he was lifted to the 
 coveted place on Dash's woolly back, and came in tri- 
 umph up the path, refusing to be held on by either 
 mother or nurse. When I was at leisure, I went into 
 the parlor, expecting to find the family there, but they 
 were all gathered on the piazza, watching Master 
 Arthur enjoying himself. He was screaming with 
 delight, still perched on his dangerous seat, for Dash,
 
 258 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 being quite unused to such treatment, was growing 
 restless under his young rider, and seemed disposed to 
 throw him on his head by a sudden rush to the kennel. 
 Young Mrs. Lecount was leaning against the nearest 
 tree, with extended hands, ready to catch her spoiled 
 darling if he should fall. She was looking remarkably 
 bright at the moment, and laughing at my sister's 
 remarks on the way she was ruining the boy. Seen in 
 repose, her face was careworn and sorrowful, and there 
 were large circles round her eyes, now dim and sunken, 
 though once so brilliant and full of expression. 
 
 My coming relieved her anxiety a little, for Dash 
 put his head under my arm and became quiet, and 
 Master Arthur grew tired of his play when there was 
 no longer any danger and consequent glory attached 
 to it, and ran off to gather my sister's favorite roses and 
 pinks. His nuree followed him, making vain attempts 
 to protect them. Mrs. Lecount sank with a low sigh 
 on her favorite old seat, a rustic bench, half hidden by 
 climbing roses and honeysuckles. Their slender, twin- 
 ing branches formed a bright-green frame for her sligbt, 
 graceful figure ; and I never smell the perfume of their 
 blossoms without recalling the pretty picture that she 
 made so unconsciously, while listening, with a sad, 
 dreamy look in her face, to my mother's lecture. 
 
 " You are destroying your own health, my child, 
 forever running after Arthur, and fretting about him. 
 You should have more trust in Providence, and more 
 confidence in his nurse. If you think she is too young
 
 A TALK WITH ME. MASTEKS. 259 
 
 and giddy for the charge, you should look for an older 
 person that you could rely upon." 
 
 "Mr. Lecount chose this girl himself; he was de- 
 lighted with her accent, it was so remarkably pure, 
 and I know he would be very unwilling to part with 
 her ; besides, I have no fault to find ; she is both careful 
 and good-tempered." 
 
 " Then why sacrifice your own health for no reason ? 
 It can do Arthur no good either now or in the future. 
 Besides, your unceasing anxiety shows a want of faith, 
 and yet your faith was once very strong." My mother 
 held out her hand as if to soften, by a caress, the appar- 
 ent harshness of her speech. 
 
 Mrs. Lecount suddenly threw her arms around my 
 mother with one of her old passionate impulses, and laid 
 her young face against the worn, faded cheek. 
 
 " I have not lost my faith," she exclaimed, " oh, no ! 
 I have not lost that. But if I ever had any self-reliance 
 it is all gone. I have lost confidence in myself; I am 
 afraid of not doing my duty to Arthur ; if he should ever 
 reproach me for that, it would kill me. If I only had 
 you near me to tell me what is right ! but I have no one 
 to guide me, and so many to please. It is hard to know 
 always just what is right to do ; I try to be governed 
 by principle, but sometimes passion overcomes me, and 
 I fail. You can excuse me ; you know what a mere 
 child I was when I left you three years ago. I was 
 young and foolish to undertake the cares of life, but I 
 met them bravely because I was so ignorant of all that
 
 260 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 
 
 they required. I suppose I have gained wisdom by ex- 
 perience, but very often I feel as helpless and as childish 
 as I did the first day you saw me. I felt so this morn- 
 ing, and I came to you ; I knew the sound of your voice 
 would do me good, and I will remember your advice 
 about Arthur." She rose as she spoke. 
 
 " Where are you going ? " asked my sister, sur- 
 prised. 
 
 " Going to bid you good-by. I promised to return 
 soon." She tried to smile as she spoke, but ended by 
 crying softly. 
 
 My sister could not repress her astonishment. " Why, 
 what do you mean, Belle ? You have not stood in the 
 house for three years, and this is your first visit since 
 you 6ame." 
 
 " Tes, and I left the bad news for the end. We are 
 going home to-night. Mr. Lecount will not remain 
 here any longer, so my first visit is my last. But I must 
 have one run through the dear old rooms so that I can 
 picture them in my mind, until I see them again." 
 She went gayly into the house arm in arm with my 
 mother, and I heard her lamenting the absence of some 
 old pieces of furniture, now replaced by new ones, more 
 fashionable and less enjoyable. She gathered flowers 
 from the plants that she had once tended, and exclaimed 
 with wondering delight at the size of some geraniums 
 that had grown from slips of her own setting. She 
 flitted from bush to bush, pointing out their beauties to 
 Arthur, and delighting my mother by recalling happy
 
 A TALK WITH ME. MASTERS. 261 
 
 recollections of the days that she had spent among 
 them. Each was associated in her mind with some little 
 incident trifling in itself, and possessed of no interest for 
 others, yet it filled a page in the book of her girlish life. 
 At last the bright hour was over ; there was a hurried, 
 tearful good-by spoken, and the gate was closed on our 
 welcome visitors. I felt that every thing surrounding 
 me had lost a part of its attraction ; the bushes were 
 dusty, and the flowers drooped ; the house appeared 
 cold, and in want of repair ; the garden-bench, so pic- 
 turesque when she sat upon it, had retaken its old form ; 
 it was merely a worm-eaten board, darkened by wind 
 and weather, and fit only for firewood. Her disappear- 
 ance had the effect of the last stroke of midnight in the 
 fairy tale. When next I looked at myself in the mir- 
 ror, I felt that I appeared older and graver than I had 
 before she came.
 
 CHAPTER XL 
 
 IN WHICH THE FIRST LIXK OF A CURIOUS CHAIN 
 IS FORGED. 
 
 THE following day Mr. Lecount's house settled into 
 its usual habits, to his great relief, and we returned to 
 our monotonous, happy life. Miss Pauline had gone to 
 New York with the others ; it appeared to be an under- 
 stood thing that she should reside with them. I heard 
 my mother and sister discussing the subject one night. 
 They thought that the arrangement was a bad one, and 
 not likely to lead to good results. To me the matter 
 seemed unworthy of consideration, but I knew nothing 
 of the small annoyances, so well understood by women, 
 that often arise under such circumstances. 
 
 As the weeks passed, we heard little of what was 
 taking place in the family. The winter that followed 
 was dull, owing to the unsettled condition of the 
 country. The political horizon was dark and threaten- 
 ing. Public credit and private fortunes were shaken. 
 The men talked of failure, and the women of economy. 
 I met gloom and despondency on every threshold. The
 
 FIRST LINK OF A CURIOUS CHAIN. 263 
 
 saving of money was the theme of conversation, and the 
 subject of deep thought. People hardly anticipated that 
 the time was coming, when not only their money, but 
 the lives of their children, should be demanded of 
 them. ^ % 
 
 Political discussions were in the ascendant ; and my 
 Bister, always ambitious of being my companion, by dint 
 of listening and hard reading, became quite conversant 
 with the questions that were agitating the country. 
 Mr. Masters kept me supplied with the pamphlets and 
 newspapers that discussed politics. We had all sides 
 of the questions before us, and our little circle of friends 
 was about equally divided on them. The Lecounts 
 were for State rights decidedly ; others were still hesi- 
 tating as to which side was upholding the Constitution 
 more were uncompromising Federalists. Our discus- 
 sions, though noisy, were always friendly and interest- 
 ing. Several of the opposing members of the circle 
 were men of learning and deep foresight. They argued 
 with this idea always in view, What is best for the 
 future welfare of the country ? Maps were looked up, 
 the political opinions of the founders of the government 
 were searched out and discussed. I learned more of the 
 policy of the country that winter, its internal con- 
 dition, and the aims of its opposing parties, than I had 
 ever done in all my previous years put together. 
 
 In the midst of these agreeable debates I received a 
 letter from Mr. Masters. He was quite sick, and desired 
 to see me without delay. I went down to him at once.
 
 264: DE. WILMKB'S LOVE. 
 
 He was confined to his room by a heavy cold, and its 
 effects were only too visible in his altered appearance 
 and weak voice. 
 
 " You see, doctor, I am growing old," he said, while 
 the smile with which he had welcomed me faded from 
 his face. " This winter has been hard on me ; and 
 anxiety wears more than work. Things have been 
 growing worse and worse between Mr. Lecount and me. 
 His wife has, so far, kept her promise, and he has not for- 
 given me for exacting it. He was here the other night, 
 and had the coolness to ask me if I intended appointing 
 him as my successor in the trusteeship of his wife's 
 property. I told him no, decidedly ; that in my estima- 
 tion he was not fit for the responsibility. He became 
 very abusive ; happily, Belle was down-stairs with Mrs. 
 Masters, and did not hear him. He demanded to know 
 whom I had appointed, and I told him * No one.' After 
 he was gone I thought the matter over, and I begin to 
 realize that it is time to make a choice. I need an hon- 
 est man and one that feels an interest in my ward ; you 
 will tell me that you do not live here, and that you 
 know but little of mortgages and real estate. You can 
 learn enough of them in six months to understand her 
 affairs ; they are in good order. As far as the practical 
 part of the business is concerned, it is in the hands of a 
 fine lawyer, the one her father employed. He will con- 
 fer with you when it is necessary, and you will judge 
 honestly for her interest. I feel that I can trust you ; 
 that is why I have sent for you to ask this favor from
 
 FIRST LINK OF A (DUBIOUS CHAIN. 265 
 
 you. It is a responsibility, but not one that an honest 
 man should shrink from undertaking. She will have 
 every confidence in you, and you know enough of Mr. 
 Lecount to be careful of him. I dare not leave it in his 
 hands, and I know of .none but you that I am sure 
 could not be overcome by his plausible arguments." 
 
 He looked at me earnestly for a few moments, and 
 then held out his hand. 
 
 " Think it over to-night, doctor, and tell me your 
 answer in the morning. After tea, if you are not too 
 tired, I will just show you how her money is invested, 
 and what you would have to do. Don't let my need 
 of you overcome any principle of right that it might 
 unsettle ; do just what you feel to be correct. At the 
 same time, don't be too modest in weighing your own 
 abilities ; don't let any idea of ignorance prevent you 
 from saying ' Yes ! ' " 
 
 After tea Mr. Masters took a bundle of papers out of 
 his safe, and went over them with me ; explaining now 
 and then what I did not understand, and often stopping 
 in the middle of a sentence to figure up a sum or calcu- 
 late interest. As he had told me, every thing was clear 
 and concise ; it needed but little effort to comprehend 
 the state of Mrs. Lecount's affairs. The consideration 
 that made me hesitate in accepting the trust was, the 
 conviction that Mr. Lecount disliked me. His manner 
 and conversation, whenever I was in his company, had 
 convinced me of the fact. As jealousy was the only 
 motive for this that I could think of, I disliked being 
 12
 
 2G6 DR. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 drawn into relations with Mrs. Lecount that might in- 
 crease his mistrust, and cause her more trouble. I knew 
 that she would have every confidence in my honesty 
 and judgment, but that her husband would not. In the 
 event of our opinions not agreeipg, and discussions aris- 
 ing, the fact of having to side with me against him 
 Avould be unpleasant for her, and injurious to her com- 
 fort. A greater stranger would, under such circum- 
 stances, make a more acceptable guardian. 
 
 On the other hand, Mr. Masters mistrusted the policy 
 of putting all power into the hands of one not personally 
 interested in her welfare. Then, again, Mr. Masters was 
 not dangerously sick, and his constitution was naturally 
 good ; he might live for years beyond her thirty-fifth 
 birthday. The very fact, of not being sure of a person 
 that he trusted to succeed him, was wearing on his mind 
 and spirits, and prolonged his illness. "When I mentioned 
 my reason for hesitating in the matter, he laughed. 
 
 " If Lecount's dislike is all that holds you back, you 
 may make your mind easy. He will dislike any one 
 that I appoint. He was silly enough to think that I 
 would name him, and no one else will suit him. I told 
 his wife that I would not do it under any consideration. 
 She was saying one evening that she would willingly 
 exchange money for peace, and I told her that with me 
 it was a matter of principle not to allow her means to 
 be squandered. This occurred only a month ago, and 
 Lecount and I had some pretty sharp words between 
 us. He wanted me to advance him some five thou-
 
 FIRST E1NK OF A CURIOUS CHAIN. 267 
 
 sand dollars to invest in a gold-mine in British Colum- 
 bia. He began by reproaching me for breaking up that 
 Connecticut scheme ; he told me that I prevented him 
 from realizing ten times what he wanted to invest. 
 Then he asked for the moderate sum of five thousand 
 for the mine. I refused, because I doubted the reputa- 
 tion of the men who were organizing the company. 
 When he found that he could do nothing with me, he 
 sent his wife to try and get it for him. I explained 
 my views of the matter to her, and told her, much more 
 gently than I had him, that I could not do it. Then 
 she spoke of sacrificing all for a little peace, and I had 
 to become very stern and determined with her, afraid I 
 might give in to her tears. I said that ten thousand a 
 year, besides what he made in his business, was quite 
 enough to buy peace, and that he should be satisfied 
 with squandering that amount. I did not think that 
 he had a right to complain, since he had never saved a 
 sixpence during his married life." 
 
 " And you found strength to resist her ? " I said. 
 
 "Yes; when it became a question of conscience 
 whether every thing she owned should slip through 
 my fingers, I grew firm." 
 
 " And the gold-mine," I asked ; " how has that turned 
 out?" 
 
 " Just as usual. The cashier suddenly disappeared 
 with all the funds, and the shareholders were left to 
 whistle for their money. I think there was quite a 
 sum collected, thirty or forty thousand dollars. It
 
 268 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 proved a mine to him, at least, and he worked it suc- 
 cessfully. Belle came to me when she heard of it, put 
 her arms around my neck, and told me I was a wise 
 man." 
 
 " And Mr. Hammond," I asked ; " how is he ? " 
 
 Mr. Masters laughed heartily. 
 
 " Very well in health, and very poor in pocket. He 
 has been Lecount's shadow the whole winter. Accord- 
 ing to his own story, he lost heavily in that gold-mine 
 scheme, and that, added to some previous losses, has 
 affected his financial affairs very much. His name was 
 among the list of shareholders for a large amount, but 
 I don't think he ever paid a cent into the treasurer's 
 hands. He almost lives in Lecount's house, and Belle 
 is tired of his constant society. He never comes here ; 
 I keep those notes of his for an antidote. The idea of 
 a man, not able to take up his own paper, investing in 
 such a speculation ! Any one but Claude Lecount would 
 see that the fellow is a complete humbug." 
 
 " Is the little boy well ? " I asked. 
 
 " Yes, very well. That reminds me of another thing 
 that I want you to do for me. Belle has had a cough 
 all the time since she came home from Newport ; they 
 went there after leaving your place last summer. Will 
 you call on her with Mrs. Masters before you return 
 home, and tell me what you think of her ? You will 
 judge better than any one of the state of her health. 
 It gives me a great deal of uneasiness." 
 
 I consented, and the next morning Mrs. Masters
 
 FIEST LINK OF A CUEIOUS CHAIN. 269 
 
 and I called on Mrs. Lecount. The house was quite 
 near Mr, Masters', in a very pretty cross-street. We 
 were shown into a large, dark parlor, with an arch and 
 columns in the centre, and glass doors closing off the 
 dining-room beyond. Although nearly eleven o'clock, 
 there was a sound of knives and forks rattling on plates 
 coming from it, mingled with laughter and conver- 
 sation. 
 
 Mrs. Masters gave me an expressive look as she seated 
 herself on a sofa, but made no observation whatever. A 
 servant came and opened a blind to let in more light ; 
 then she drew a heavy curtain across the glass doors, 
 that deadened the sounds from the dining-room, and left 
 us, saying that Mrs. Lecount would be down in a few 
 minutes. I had ample time to admire the costly furni- 
 ture and exquisite ornaments with which the room was 
 adorned. Every thing denoted wealth combined with 
 refined taste. There was none of that stiffness observ- 
 able, so common in many handsome rooms, making 
 them look as if they were fitted up and kept for show. 
 Here every thing was easy, and had the appearance of 
 being used with appreciation and enjoyment. Some 
 pieces of brilliant needle-work were scattered on an or- 
 namental writing-table near where I sat, together with 
 a half-finished letter. A basket full of envelopes, di- 
 rected in a small, elegant hand, attracted Mrs. Masters' 
 attention, and drew from her an exclamation of wonder. 
 
 " Another party this winter, and she in such poor 
 health ! Belle must be losing her reason."
 
 270 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 A light step on the stairs, and Mrs. Lccount entered, 
 with a bright smile of pleasure on her face. 
 
 " You must excuse my keeping you so long, but I 
 was asleep when you came in," she said, at the same 
 time throwing wide open the blinds, and letting the 
 dazzling sunlight into the room. " I coughed so much 
 all night that I was quite unable to rise this morning at 
 my usual hour. Mr. Lecount has a breakfast-party, as 
 I suppose you can guess, and Pauline had to take my 
 place at the head of the table. However, that is a duty 
 that I don't regret ; I generally resign in her favor when 
 I can with reason." 
 
 She spoke gayly, and delight at seeing us had sent a 
 happy glow over her face, and an added brightness to her 
 eyes. Her cheeks were pink with excitement, and the 
 rich masses of her hair were disposed so as to hide their 
 thin, wasted appearance. She drew her breakfast-shawl 
 around her with a slight shiver, and sat where the sun- 
 beams fell full upon her. 
 
 "Pauline tells me that the carpet is fading in this 
 particular corner, because I am so fond of letting in the 
 sunlight. But I love to feel it shining on me ; it makes 
 me warm and gay don't you like it, Mrs. Masters ? " 
 
 " I do, indeed, and with me the carpet would have 
 to give way. This is your favorite corner, I know. I 
 see you have been busy with invitations again." 
 
 " Yes, Mr. Lecount wanted another party ; so I pro- 
 posed having it before Lent began. It will be quite 
 large, and I dread it already. You must give me some-
 
 FIRST LINK OF A CUEIODS CHAIN. 271 
 
 thing that will cure ray cold before it takes place," she 
 said, turning to me. 
 
 At the same moment she commenced coughing ter- 
 ribly, and it was some time before she recovered suffi- 
 ciently to go on with her explanation. 
 
 Then I listened while she and Mrs. Masters discussed 
 the matter. With her, it was all throughout, " Pauline 
 thinks this " or, " Mr. Lecount says that." It was 
 evident that she had little to do w r ith the affair, except 
 naming the one proviso, that it should not occur during 
 Lent. That subject finished, she suddenly turned the 
 conversation away from herself, and talked about my 
 home and family with an eagerness that showed what a 
 large share of her heart they possessed. 
 
 She seemed to fear my observation of her, and for 
 that reason affected a gayety of manner quite unusual 
 to her. I noticed the alteration in her, that was fretting 
 Mr. Masters, but I knew that to remark on it to her 
 would do more harm than good. Her little boy was 
 out walking, and she wished us to remain to dinner, so 
 as to see him. Mrs. Masters excused herself on the plea 
 of her husband's health ; and I declined, because I in- 
 tended leaving for home that afternoon. Our visit was 
 not interrupted ; when we left her, the breakfast-party 
 was still at the table. Before going, I asked her, laugh- 
 ingly, if she meant what she had said, about giving her 
 a remedy for her cold. She replied, in the same tone, 
 that she was serious, and had been waiting with the 
 hope of seeing me before doing any thing to relieve it.
 
 272 DK. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 I wrote her a long prescription, and left it with a strict 
 charge to follow its directions implicitly. She promised, 
 and Mrs. Masters added gravely 
 
 " Do it for Arthur's sake/' 
 
 Mrs. Lecount colored at the words; then pressing 
 Mrs. Masters' hand, she said, quietly, " You may trust 
 to me." 
 
 " Was there any necessity for that last injunction ?" 
 I asked Mrs. Masters, as we walked down the street. 
 
 " Surely you must have observed the difference in 
 Belle," she replied. " Did you not notice the apathy 
 and coolness that came' over her when speaking of her 
 husband ? There is some trouble between them. I can 
 detect desperation in her carelessness as to her own 
 health. I hope that what I said may affect her. Mr. 
 Masters is not as observing as I am ; women naturally 
 see little things that men would attach no importance 
 to. I never speak of this to my husband he frets 
 enough about her as it is. He thinks that her health is 
 failing on account of her natural delicacy of constitu- 
 tion, and that sometimes Claude's rash speculations give 
 her anxiety. I know that there is some deeper and 
 closer cause for the indifference to each other that I 
 have so often remarked. You heard her to-day, when 
 she said that she always resigned her seat to Pauline 
 when she could do it with reason. It is not the first 
 time that I have known her to remain in her own room 
 while her husband was entertaining his friends down- 
 stairs. Sometimes I think that Pauline's constant pres-
 
 FIRST LINK OF A CURIOUS CHAIN. 273 
 
 ence in the house has had a bad influence on both of 
 them, although it would be impossible to say in what 
 manner." 
 
 " It is strange to me that Miss Pauline is still un- 
 married she is so very handsome and attractive," I 
 said, musingly. 
 
 " I feel sure that it is her own fault. She has had 
 three brilliant winters, you may say four, in New York, 
 with every advantage possible. I know that several 
 very eligible gentlemen have paid her marked atten- 
 tion, and it often surprises both Mr. Masters and me, 
 how she remains so indifferent to them." 
 
 " She is at least not mercenary," I said. " For it is 
 well known among us that her father is in very moderate 
 circumstances. I think her conscientiousness is to be 
 admired." 
 
 "It is, most certainly. Mr. Masters was afraid at 
 one time that Mr. Hammond might succeed in gaining 
 her affections, but I noticed that he was quite devoted 
 to Belle, and neglected Pauline altogether. Mr. Masters 
 inferred that Pauline's want of fortune was the drawback, 
 as he is persuaded that Mr. Hammond is a mere fortune- 
 hunter. Belle detests the man, in spite of his devotion 
 and cultivation ; and as for that Mr. Hunter, she keeps 
 her room whenever he happens into the house." 
 
 " It is well she has her child to occupy her mind and 
 time. He must be quite a pet of yours ? " I said. 
 
 " He is a pet with everybody except, perhaps, his 
 father. Claude declares that he likes children when 
 12*
 
 274: DK. "WTLMEH'S LOVE. 
 
 they are old enough to talk to and reason with, but he 
 hates babies. I think his careless way of treating Ar- 
 thur pains Belle more than she cares to say. She is al- 
 most too fond and indulgent. He is cross and fault-find- 
 ing beyond reason. She makes an idol of Arthur, and 
 tries to keep him a baby by her side, to be nursed and 
 petted every hour in the day. Claude wants to make a 
 little man of him at once. I think he would like to do 
 away with his childhood and boyhood altogether, and 
 have Arthur a precocious young gentleman, able to un- 
 derstand speculations, and the rise and fall of stocks. 
 He insists on sending for him, to entertain these friends 
 of his, by showing off the old-fashioned manner and 
 expressions that he himself has put into the child's head 
 against his wife's wishes. To see that little fellow stand- 
 ing up in a room full of people, all addressing remarks 
 to him far beyond his comprehension, just for the amuse- 
 ment of hearing his shrewd, queer answers ! He has a 
 wonderful talent for arithmetic, and his father takes the 
 greatest delight in asking him questions that tax his abil- 
 ity to the utmost extent. Belle is justly annoyed with 
 it, and one night she put the little fellow asleep early, 
 hoping he would escape the usual exhibition of his pre- 
 cocity. We were there at the time, and I congrat- 
 ulated myself when I heard that Arthur was safe in his 
 crib, and that we would escape the infliction of his sharp- 
 ness and his father's silliness for one night. Judge of 
 our surprise when his nurse brought him into the room, 
 rubbing his eyes that were half shut with sleep and red
 
 FIRST LINK OF A CUKIOUS CHAIN. 275 
 
 with crying ! His judicious father had insisted on hav- 
 ing him awakened and dressed." 
 
 " No wonder Mrs. Lecount feels anxious. He will 
 ruin the child," I said. 
 
 " Then these parties. They cost immense sums of 
 money, and she has given several already this winter. 
 Not that Mr. Masters objects to them on the score of ex- 
 pense, though that is bad also. He thinks it all wrong in 
 view of the present dreadful condition of the country. 
 Property is depreciating, and things become more unset- 
 tled every day. He anticipates the worst, because he 
 meets with so many men from different sections of the 
 country, and from the tone of their conversation he says 
 that civil war is certain. He was saying last night that 
 he would like to arrange his affairs and buy a place up 
 near you, where he could enjoy the remainder of his life 
 in country pursuits. I think he will do it if every 
 thing goes right with Belle, but not unless that is 
 the case, for he has made up his mind to stay near her 
 always." 
 
 I thought over all that had been, said to me the night 
 before while Mrs. Masters talked of Belle and her pros- 
 pects. I concluded to accept Mr. Masters' proposal, and 
 I was repaid for my assent to it, by the improvement 
 that the taking of this care off his mind made in his 
 health. 
 
 He wrote, a few days after my return home, to say 
 thnt lie was again able to go out, and that " Belle was 
 much better," owing to my good advice. The clays
 
 276 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 went over, and the public troubles increased. Private 
 misfortunes were forgotten in view of the fearful danger 
 menacing the republic. Opinions were divided ; people 
 talked of faults on both sides. Union and secession 
 meetings were held in the same State. The people in 
 the South went on with their preparations deliberately 
 and systematically, and State after State passed the 
 ordinance of secession. The people in the North 
 watched and waited as if viewing a spectacle, and 
 asked each other, "What next?" The government 
 seemed to be paralyzed. Political demagogues of all 
 parties stood confounded before the coming terror, 
 which the unrestrained .expression of their own 
 prejudices had evoked. 
 
 Citizens of foreign countries, amassing fortunes in 
 our midst, sneered at the troubles of the laud that sup- 
 ported them, and taunted us with the instability of our 
 boastful republic. Commercial failures were taking 
 place in all parts of the country. There was a feeling 
 of insecurity abroad ; people wondered and questioned 
 on whom to depend. The President was inaugurated 
 under threats of assassination. The Confederates con- 
 tinued to possess themselves of the government prop- 
 erty in the seceding States, with little or no opposition. 
 It was felt that something was needed to unite the dis- 
 cordant elements in the North, before any decided steps 
 could be taken by the Executive. That something came 
 at last : Sumter was fired on Americans attempted to 
 lower their own flag, and trample it under foot. Then
 
 FffiST LINK OF A CDKIOUS CHAIN. 277 
 
 came the uprising of the North. Party feelings and 
 differences were forgotten. The whole country was in 
 danger; State questions were left for another time. Men, 
 who had not spoken for years on account of some pri- 
 vate trouble, were ready to march side by side for the 
 defence. of their common country. The President's call 
 for troops to uphold the government, and preserve the 
 integrity of the Union, was answered nobly and without 
 delay. This action restored confidence ; people felt that 
 there was some effort necessary, and they were willing 
 to make it, if only by so doing they might restore the 
 former peace and prosperity of the republic. 
 
 Meetings were held and speeches made. Companies 
 were formed and drilled in every village of the land. 
 The governor was besieged by candidates for appoint- 
 ments. The whole country was in a state of unpar- 
 alleled excitement. The ladies, not to be behindhand, 
 were forming societies for knitting stockings and scra- 
 ping lint. One evening I found my mother surrounded 
 by bundles of old linen which she was assorting, and 
 my sister busy winding yarn. Miss Marie and about 
 a dozen other young ladies belonging to the neighbor- 
 hood were in the room assisting her. I had come to be 
 regarded as quite a middle-aged gentleman by the 
 young people about me, and the exclamation, " It's 
 only the doctor ! " was not new to me. It was evident 
 that they expected some one else ; so I nodded in return 
 for the smiles they threw me in a patronizing way, and 
 was immediately requested to hold a skein of wool on
 
 278 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 my hands while one of my bright young friends wound 
 it into a huge ball. 
 
 " We were expecting Victor," Miss Marie said, turn- 
 ing to me. " He went to Albany yesterday." 
 
 "Any thing the matter?" I asked, wearily, for I 
 was exhausted with a long day's work. 
 
 My sister looked up 
 
 "He is raising a company for an Albany regiment, 
 and expects to receive his commission very soon." 
 
 "Isn't he patriotic, Dr. Wilmer ?" asked the young 
 lady whose wool I was holding Miss Susie Williams 
 by name, a pretty girl, and quite a belle among us. 
 
 " He is, very." 
 
 " How dull it will be when the company goes away ! 
 Nearly every family is represented in it. The two 
 Johnsons are going. Mrs. Johnson says she feels more 
 reconciled to their departure since they are together; 
 each will look after the other in case any thing should 
 happen." 
 
 My sister's last clause brought sad looks into the 
 bright faces bending over the work-table, and I saw 
 Miss Marie brush away some tears quickly, as if afraid 
 that showing them would be unpatriotic and cowardly. 
 
 "I don't think there will be much fighting, do 
 you?" asked Miss Susie again. 
 
 " I think there will be a great deal," I answered, 
 slowly, making up my mind as I went along. In fact, 
 the question had never before presented itself to ray 
 serious consideration. The events of each day, as it
 
 FIRST LINK OF A CURIOUS CHAIN. 279 
 
 passed, had been sufficient for the thoughts to dwell upon. 
 After tea, the elder Mr. Lecount came in with several 
 others, and while they discussed the latest news, the 
 young ladies worked away busily, listening with atten- 
 tion to the interesting theme. Victor Lecount had not 
 returned yet, owing to the press of business at the 
 capital. According to his letter, there were more can- 
 didates than positions, and he feared refusal. 
 
 At last he returned in triumph, and, after a short, 
 hurried preparation, he took his company to Albany, 
 where they would join the regiment. We saw them 
 off, with music playing, colors flying, and the people 
 cheering. How gay and bright they looked in their 
 fresh uniforms and equipments ! What noble emotions 
 filled their breasts, and what brave, bright smiles played 
 over the young faces ! Disinterested and courageous, 
 they only thought, " Our country is in danger; she has 
 protected us. If she falls, what are we ? Shall we not 
 fight for her, and if need be die that she may live ? 
 What are our lives, compared to the hundreds of thou- 
 sands that shall be after us ? We will leave to them the 
 heritage bequeathed to us by men who suffered as we 
 expect to suffer." How sweet the flowers were that 
 women, young and old, threw to them as they passed ! 
 How many bright eyes grew dim and blinded with 
 tears ! How many different emotions did they spring 
 from tears of joy, of pride, of heart-felt love of coun- 
 try tears of sorrow ! Could mothers be blamed if 
 Badness mingled in the many feelings agitating them as
 
 280 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 they prepared their sons for the war, and ended in bitter 
 tears of anguish at the moment of separation ? As the 
 regiment disappeared in the distance, Mrs. Lecount, 
 who was standing near me, fainted away. She had 
 kept up her courage and smiling face until the last line 
 of men had passed ; then the firmness and self-control 
 that she had exhibited during the past few weeks gave 
 way, and she sank into her husband's arms with a low, 
 gasping moan. We were all asking ourselves the same 
 question that had overcome her in contemplating it. 
 
 " How, and when, will they return ? " 
 
 We heard regularly of the regiment's progress tow- 
 ard Washington, and the stocking-knitting went on 
 with renewed energy, while the letters from our young 
 heroes were read aloud to the assembled society amidst 
 tears of joy and pride. 
 
 Toward the end of June I rode home one evening 
 with my appointment as surgeon in a New York volun- 
 teer regiment in my pocket. I had been thinking of 
 taking such a step for some time, considerations of my 
 home duties alone withholding me. A conversation, be- 
 tween some neighbors just returned from New York, at 
 last decided the question for me. They spoke of the 
 extreme youtlj and consequent inexperience of the 
 young doctors that were then receiving appointments, 
 many of them having just obtained their diplomas. 
 They gave, as a reason for this, the unwillingness of 
 physicians of reputation to resign their positions and 
 home comforts for the hardships and small pay of an
 
 FIEST LINK OF A CDEIOUS CHAIN. 281 
 
 army doctor. Our town was well supplied with medical 
 men, most of whom had large families. I remembered, 
 with some bitterness, that I had neither wife nor child 
 to prevent me from giving my services to my country. 
 Besides, I had felt restless and discontented for some 
 months, and, strange to say, no sooner was my commis- 
 sion safe in my pocket, than a sensation of perfect relief 
 and peace came over me. I felt that I was doing right. 
 
 When I put the paper before my sister, she under- 
 stood its purport instinctively; she had been watching 
 me closely for weeks, reading my doubts, yet afraid of 
 alluding to the subject of them. She rose without a 
 word, and, throwing her arms around me, laid her head 
 against my shoulder and cried, silently. My mother 
 coming in, stood for a moment surprised at our position, 
 then she threw a quick glance about the room, and saw 
 the folded paper on the table. 
 
 "John, John, you are not going to leave me!" I 
 heard her exclaim, and she stretched out her arms im- 
 ploringly. 
 
 I caught her in my own and kissed her, unable to 
 answer her question. 
 
 " John is right, I am proud of him," my sister said, 
 bravely coming, as of old, to my assistance. 
 
 " I suppose I must not be the only selfish mother in 
 the place," she said, at last, after we had talked the 
 matter and its necessity over to her. In the end she 
 kissed me, and bade me go, with her blessing. 
 
 My arrangements were soon completed, my trunk
 
 282 DR. WTLMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 was packed so full of little comforts made by loving 
 hands, that it was with difficulty that I succeeded in 
 locking it. My mother and sister accompanied me to 
 the cars ; I can remember yet the appearance of every 
 thing within and outside the house on that day. As 
 AVC were leaving it, my sister drew me to a large mirror 
 in the parlor, and laughingly demanded how I liked 
 myself in a uniform. Then she pulled my cap on one 
 side to give it an airy appearance, and lovingly stroked 
 the dark hair beneath it. I had grown strong and mus- 
 cular, owing to the amount of riding and walking that 
 I did in the open air, and my black beard and mustache 
 gave me quite the look of a stage brigand, according to 
 my sister. 
 
 It was a lovely June afternoon, the roses and wood- 
 bine were in full bloom ; there had been a slight shower 
 in the morning, and the rain-drops yet glistened like 
 diamonds on the soft petals of the flowers. The air was 
 Hear, the sky blue, the landscape fresh and bright in its 
 tints of varied green. Bees hummed over the honey- 
 laden plants, birds sang and chirped in the trees, and 
 small colonies of ants were gathered in the garden-path, 
 carrying away their winter store. I stood for a moment 
 at the gate, to give one eager look at the dear home that 
 I might never see again. 
 
 At the station we were greeted by many friends 
 who had come to see me off, and wish me success and a 
 safe return. Before we had said half that was intended, 
 the whistle Avas blown, and the next moment I had
 
 FIRST LINK OF A CURIOUS CHAIN. 283 
 
 kissed the tears from my mother's eyes, and was in my 
 seat, gazing at the bright faces on the platform, while 
 the cars moved off amid the usual noisy confusion. 
 
 I had given myself a day to spend with Mr. Masters, 
 not having as yet informed him of my changed position. 
 I knew that he would be astonished, but, aware of his 
 patriotism, I felt sure of his approbation. During that 
 ride I reflected a great deal on my past life, and its 
 one bitter disappointment a disappointment that I had 
 never completely recovered from. At times, it required 
 all the self-control that I was capable of exercising, to 
 overcome the strong emotions awakened by its recollec- 
 tion. I had determined to conquer myself, but the effort 
 cost me dear. I could despise myself for allowing such 
 a passion to master me in the face of such perfect 
 indifference on the part of its object. I felt that I had 
 sacrificed the best years of my life, first by indulging in 
 a bright hope, and afterward by regretting bitterly Jj 
 non-fulfilment. Even while endeavoring to forget 
 object of my love, the thought of replacing her by an- 
 other never entered my mind. The shrine might be 
 empty, but the place of its former image was filled with 
 sweet memories. It seemed to me that, feeling as I did, 
 love offered to another would have been perjury and a 
 mockery. 
 
 "When I reached Mr. Masters' house late that night. 
 I heard that he and his wife were out of town. They 
 were at a pretty watering-place, within a few hours' ride 
 of New York, and I determined to follow them there. 
 
 its 
 tlio
 
 284: DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 I would have a short time to remain with them, and it 
 was well worth the trouble of going. 
 
 I started early the next morning, after a refreshing 
 sleep in Mr. Masters' comfortable house, and arrived 
 safe at the hotel to which I had been directed by the 
 servant. The clerk told me that Mr. Masters had taken 
 his wife for the day to visit some friends in the neigh- 
 borhood. Here was another disappointment. I made 
 up my mind to wait until evening, if I only had an hour 
 to spend in their company.
 
 CHAPTER XII. 
 
 THE CHAIN IS LENGTHENED. 
 
 THE place was full that season. "Every hotel 
 crowded," the clerk told me. I thought of going to the 
 different houses with the hope of meeting a friend with 
 whom I could pass a few of the hours until evening. So 
 I wandered around until dinner-time, but without suc- 
 cess. Among all the groups of gayly dressed people 
 loitering on the piazzas, in the parlors and on the beach, 
 I saw no familiar face. Dinner over, I strolled down to 
 the water, and watched some merry children clia>ing: 
 each other along the sands, gathering shells and sea- 
 weeds, and digging holes to entrap some little fish that 
 might be left behind by the retiring waves. Their light 
 laughter and innocent prattle amused me greatly, and it 
 was nearly five o'clock in the afternoon when I returned 
 to the house to await Mr. and Mrs. Masters' arrival. 
 
 The rooms and piazza were filled with ladies, prome- 
 nading in their rich evening dresses. There was the usual 
 hum of voices, mingled with laughter and music. Old- 
 fashioned, over-dressed little girls glided about in iraita-
 
 286 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 tion of their elders ; while here and there a nurse was 
 visible, gathering her charges for their early tea. As I 
 passed along, a window opening on the piazza, from a 
 small private parlor, was flung back hastily, and a lady 
 stepped out, and stood for a moment in my way, gazing 
 around her a queenly-looking woman, with flashing 
 black eyes, and handsome, decided features. She was 
 richly dressed, perhaps too gayly for perfect taste, but 
 the brilliant colors surrounding her contrasted well with 
 her heavy raven hair and clear olive complexion. She 
 had a crimson cloak thrown over her arm, and a soft, 
 white affair for her head, in her hand. A look of dis- 
 appointment came over her face on seeing me, and giving 
 me a searching glance, she swept past me, and went slow- 
 ly toward the more crowded part of the piazza. Farther 
 on, the place was entirely deserted, and a large arm-chair 
 attracted my attention. "When I had taken possession 
 
 t, I found that the approach to the house was before 
 , and some closed green shutters at my back. The 
 quiet around me was remarkable, considering the near- 
 ness of the busy throng I had just passed through, and I 
 found myself after a few minutes sinking into doze. 
 
 It deepened into a sleep from which I was aroused 
 by the curious sensation we feel when real noises mingle 
 with our dreams, and appear to take part in them. I 
 became aware that there were voices talking, so near 
 me, that the words were perfectly distinct. They were 
 raised and excited to angry tones, and came from within 
 the closed blinds behind me.
 
 THE CHAIN IS LENGTHENED. 287 
 
 "I tell you that you are wrong. You shall not 
 go ! " a woman's voice said. 
 
 " Let me pass ; you at least have no right to detain me," 
 was the answer, in the low, rough tone of an angry man. 
 
 " Then I shall assume the right, as long as your wife 
 is not able to take her own part." 
 
 "Let me pass; I am determined !" was the answer 
 again. 
 
 " You will drive your wife into a lunatic asylum, if 
 you go on like this." 
 
 " And it would be the best place for her. It's a pity 
 she was ever taken out of the one she was in." 
 
 " Oh, Claude ! " This exclamation, in a low, altered 
 voice of painful entreaty and reproach, brought me to 
 my senses. 
 
 As I started to my feet, surprised and shocked, there 
 was a slight struggle in the room behind me, then a 
 door clapped violently, and I heard a low moan am 
 suppressed sobbing from the woman, whom I now kne\i 
 to be Miss Pauline Lecount. I walked hastily, over- 
 come by conflicting fears, toward the crowded end of 
 the piazza, scarcely knowing where I went, and not 
 caring much. I was just in time for another scene. 
 
 A beautiful little light wagon, drawn by a pair of 
 spirited young horses, was standing in the road before 
 the house, in sight of the assembled crowd, and various 
 remarks, occasioned by its appearance, saluted my ears. 
 
 " I wonder he is not afraid of driving them ! they 
 look dangerous ! " came from one side.
 
 288 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 " He is a reckless sort of a fellow, anyhow," was 
 the answer. 
 
 " Did you see him play last night ? He must have 
 a big pile somewhere ! " 
 
 " Yes, I saw him in the early part of the evening ; 
 he was losing heavily then." 
 
 " He never wins. He is too impatient and irritable. 
 I guess he only plays to kill time." 
 
 " I think he is killing his wife as well." 
 
 " Yes, she looks delicate ; pretty little woman too. 
 Quite a contrast to Mrs. Dimon." 
 
 " Yes, rather. I wonder what old Dimon can be 
 thinking of, letting his wife go on as she does ? " 
 
 "Thinking of? Money, of course ! He knows she 
 can take care of herself. All she flirts for is amuse- 
 ment. She loses nothing. I don't think she ever had 
 a heart, or knew what feeling meant. She delights in 
 tracting men, for the sake of annoying their wives, 
 bu should have seen the look of triumph she threw 
 after Mrs. Lecount last night when she left the room 
 unable to bear it any longer. Lecount was aware of it 
 teo, and he positively sneered at his wife's mortifica- 
 tion. If I were Mrs. Lecount, I wouldn't remain here 
 another day." 
 
 " She looks as if her heart were breaking. And that 
 fellow named Hammond, he hardly lets her out of his 
 sight. She don't appear to like him, and yet seems 
 afraid of resenting his attentions." 
 
 " He is a friend of her husband, and one of Mrs.
 
 THE CHAIN IS LENGTHENED. 289 
 
 Dimon's friends also. Yesterday I came across them 
 walking together in the grounds, and she had her pock- 
 et-book in her hand, and was giving him money. Don't 
 look so incredulous ! I heard her say, * You must be 
 satisfied with one hundred for the present.' Of course, 
 it looked curious, but he may be her brother for all we 
 know, and might have found himself hard up. They 
 are a curious group certainly, and quite interesting in 
 their movements." 
 
 " Here comes the famous couple now. She looks 
 magnificent." 
 
 The two gentlemen pressed forward for a better po- 
 sition, and I followed them. Mr. Lecount was leading 
 Mrs. Dimon toward the wagon. He looked handsome, 
 but dissipated and reckless. His whole attention was 
 absorbed by the dashing-looking woman who had so 
 fascinated him. Having adjusted her cloak to her sat- 
 isfaction, he sprang to the seat beside her, caught 
 lines from the attending groom, with a proud, 
 reliant glance around him, and the next minute they 
 had disappeared in a cloud of dust. I had recognized 
 in Mrs. Dimon the lady who had stepped from her room 
 to the piazza a short time before, and I remembered the 
 glance that she had thrown around her, as if expecting 
 some one to be near. No doubt she had waited impa- 
 tiently enough while the conversation that I had over- 
 heard passed between Mr..Lecount and his sister. 
 
 The excitement over, the crowd of fashionable loun- 
 gers went in search of another, and I watched with anx- 
 13
 
 290 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 iety every carriage that passed the house, hoping to see 
 Mr. Masters' face in one of them. The secret of his 
 presence in the hotel was now plain to me. Mrs. Le- 
 count must be indeed unhappy when her guardian felt 
 it his duty to remain so near her. 
 
 Later, at tea-time, I looked at the faces coming into 
 the dining-room, and afterward searched the rows of 
 people seated at the long tables, but without success. 
 None of the Lecount family were present. As I left 
 the room, Mr. Hammond was entering it alone. He 
 recognized me, and I nodded slightly in return for his 
 salutation, and passed out silently. My heart was too 
 sore against him and his set to permit of my speaking 
 to him. I felt that I never wanted to lay my eyes on 
 the man again. I returned to the piazza and strolled 
 impatiently up and down, endeavoring to think of some- 
 thing pleasant. I tried to set before me the. duties and 
 axations of the position I was about to occupy, and 
 ng up to my mind the old tales of camp-life that I 
 had been so fond of reading when a boy. I remembered 
 imagining myself in the hero's place, and thinking what 
 I should have done under the same circumstances. I 
 even tried to laugh heartily, as of old, over the comical 
 scenes and situations recounted in " Charles O'Malley " 
 and " Harry Lorrequer," but without success. Try as I 
 might, my thoughts would revert to the possible posi- 
 tion and misery of Mrs. Le^ount, in bad health, and 
 neglected by her husband. 
 
 His wicked words, that he had used in speaking of
 
 THE CHAIN IS LENGTHENED. 291 
 
 her to his sister, rang in my brain, and roused in me 
 feelings that were beyond expression. I refrained from 
 walking near the windows of their apartments, lest I 
 should hear more than I cared to know. Pity for her, 
 and indignation against the man who could find it in 
 his heart to ill-treat her thus cruelly and openly, had 
 taken possession of me. I paced back and forth, with 
 my strange-feeling cap set tightly on my head, and my 
 arms folded across my breast, with a pressure almost 
 painful. Meanwhile the scene was changing ai*ound 
 me. Night was falling, a storm was rising, and the 
 increasing dampness and chilliness in the air were driv- 
 ing the people in-doors. Still Mr. Masters did not come. 
 I began to fear that the stormy appearance of the sky 
 might prevent his return to the hotel that night. 
 
 It being too cold for pleasure outside, a dance was 
 improvised in the large parlor, and the crowd flocked 
 in there. In a very short time, the ball was in ful] 
 progress. I continued my walk with curious surrouni 
 ings. On one side, a brilliantly-lighted room, filled 
 with richly-dressed people, all apparently merry-hearted 
 and enjoying themselves ; music playing, fans rustling, 
 and couples whirling round and round in the mazes of 
 the waltz, "d deux temps" or flying up and down the 
 room in the exciting galop. 
 
 On the other side the elements were at work. The 
 stars were fast disappearing behind the gathering clouds, 
 the wind was rising and moaning round the corners of 
 the house. The roll of the distant surf was audible, and
 
 til 
 
 292 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 gleams of lightning, followed by the long, low rumble 
 of thunder, opened and flashed through the thick, black 
 curtain, settling down like a pall over the landscape. 
 At last the storm burst, and the heavy rain descended 
 in torrents, with a rushing sound and a force that sur- 
 passed any thing of the kind within my recollection. 
 The trees bent and shivered with its fury ; flower-pots 
 were upset, and plants beaten to the ground. Now and 
 then a gust of wind would sweep around the house and 
 down the avenue, carrying before it every thing that 
 lay in its path. 
 
 In the midst of this grand yet fearful scene, the 
 window behind where the arm-chair stood was opened 
 noiselessly, and a woman's form, muffled in a large 
 shawl, came out on the piazza. As she stood for a 
 while gazing toward the road, a flash of lightning lit 
 up the scene, and I recognized Miss Pauline Lecount. 
 
 the momentary glimpse that I had of her face, I saw 
 at it was colorless from fright and suspense. Anxiety 
 was visible in every line of it. She drew her shawl 
 across her breast with a shudder, and began pacing 
 back and forth in front of the windows of their apart- 
 ments. I resumed my weary promenade, going always 
 in the direction she did, so that our faces never once 
 met. At times she would stop, bend her head and lis- 
 ten for the sound of approaching wheels, then, with a 
 sigh of disappointment, take up her monotonous walk. 
 
 For almost an hour I listened to the light, firm tread 
 behind me, sounding like the echo of my own footfalls.
 
 THE CHAIN IS LENGTHENED. 293 
 
 Then the storm gradually abated, until at length the 
 rain ceased, the wind died away as suddenly as it had 
 come up, and the only noise outside was caused by the 
 drops that fell from the leaves of the swaying branches 
 overhead. The moon and stars were again visible be- 
 hind the light, fleecy clouds so rapidly disappearing 
 from sight. We two weary watchers suddenly stopped 
 short to look at them, probably with the same feeling 
 one of thankfulness in our hearts. At that moment we 
 heard -the noise of a horse's feet coming up the road, and 
 Miss Pauline bent forward eagerly to catch sight of 
 what was approaching. A rough-looking man, short 
 and stout, came riding up the avenue at a quick trot, 
 stopped his horse in front of the house door, and hurried 
 into the bar-room. Miss Pauline turned away with a 
 murmur of impatience, and I walked toward the parlor 
 windows. Looking in mechanically, I saw the landlord 
 crossing the room. Something in his face, an expression*^ 
 of shocked surprise, attracted me, and I followed him 
 with my eyes. He went up to Mr. Hammond, who was 
 bending over a lady, conversing earnestly as usual, said 
 a few words to him, that brought a look like his own 
 into that gentleman's face, and then they hastily left 
 the room together. The lady, with whom Mr. Ham- 
 mond had been talking, rose instantly, and communi- 
 cated the news to a gentleman near by, and he as hur- 
 riedly as the others disappeared through the door. 
 
 I felt an undefined horror stealing over me, and the 
 same influence seemed to be spreading through the oc-
 
 294 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 cupants of the parlor. They were collecting in little 
 groups, exchanging ideas with eager faces, and in low 
 tones. In a few moments the horseman came out on 
 the piazza, surrounded by an excited crowd of people. 
 They seemed to be all talking at once, some question- 
 ing, others affirming. Two of them had stepped between 
 the man and his horse, and were listening eagerly to 
 what he was saying. I hastened forward and caught 
 the concluding portion of his story. 
 
 "You see, the wagon was just dashed to pieces 
 against the stone fence, and we found the horses stand- 
 ing quiet, but trembling all over with fright. The lady 
 don't know what scared them, but it was all done in a 
 second." 
 
 "How did he fall ?" asked some one near me. 
 
 He was pitched right over the dash-board on his 
 head. You never saw such a sight." 
 ^ " Who found him ? " asked another gentleman. 
 
 "A lot of us from the house. The lady came as fast 
 as she could, but it was hard work in the storm, and she 
 couldn't speak for some time after she got in, between 
 the wetting she had and the fright." 
 
 "How did she escape?" 
 
 "She crept out of the back of the wagon, and it go- 
 ing at full speed, and let herself drop by her hands." 
 
 " How courageous ! Are you sure that she belongs 
 here?" 
 
 " Yes, sir ; she told us her name, and I can't remem- 
 ber it, but I know the gentleman myself; he passed the
 
 THE CHAIN 18 LENGTHENED. 295 
 
 house every day this month with the same horses. 
 Everybody around knew Mr. Lecount." 
 
 " Are you sure he is dead ? " 
 
 " Dead ! he was stone-dead before she got to him. 
 The doctors know it down at the house ; they say he 
 died instantly." 
 
 A long, heart-rending cry, and a gasping for breath, 
 made us turn around. There, behind us, with wild, star- 
 ing eyes and a ghastly face, stood Miss Pauline Lecount. 
 I caught her as she tottered, and we carried her into a 
 deserted little parlor, and applied restoratives. She 
 struggled bravely to retain her consciousness, and suc- 
 ceeded. 
 
 " Don't tell her, don't tell his wife yet," she moaned, 
 looking imploringly around her. I drew back, that she 
 might not see me ; but, sitting up suddenly, she caught 
 sight of my face. 
 
 " You ! are you here ? " she screamed, burying her 
 face in her hands, and shivering all over. 
 
 " Try and control yourself," I said, bending over her. 
 " Remember how many are in the room." 
 
 She looked, up in my face with a mocking laugh, and 
 muttered hysterically 
 
 "And for this, for this I have sinned! Oh! I am 
 rightly punished." 
 
 . I began to fear that the shock was too much for Miss 
 Pauline's brain, and that she was losing her reason. 
 
 " Shall I leave you ? " I asked, in a low tone. 
 
 " Yes, yes, go away ! "
 
 296 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 Thinking that it might be Lest, I returned to the 
 piazza, leaving her in the care of some of the ladies be- 
 longing to the house. The group outside was still col- 
 lected, and as I joined them a carriage stopped at the 
 door, and Mr. Masters assisted his wife out of it, and 
 led her hastily up the steps. 
 
 " Be as quick as you can, Sallie. Let no one tell her 
 but yourself," I heard him say to her. 
 
 Mrs. Masters hurried along the piazza, and disap- 
 peared through one of the many windows opening upon 
 it. Her husband turned and saw me. He looked again, 
 as if not trusting his eye-sight, and then grasped my 
 hand. 
 
 "Wilmer, this is a terrible affair. Of course, you 
 have heard it. Do you think my wife was in time ? I 
 thought we should never get here." 
 
 I told him what I knew, and of Miss Pauline's con- 
 dition. 
 
 " But, how djd you hear it ? " I asked. 
 
 " We stopped for a light at the other house, and I 
 heard them all talking of an accident. When they men- 
 tioned Mrs. Dimon, I asked further, with an idea that 
 the gentleman was slightly injured, and she not at all. 
 Judge.. of my surprise when I heard the truth, and real- 
 ized itsriorror ! First, they took me into a room and 
 showed me Wilmer, to think that this morning I left 
 Claude Lecount looking as well as he ever did in his 
 life ! Oh, it is fearful ! No one would recognize him. 
 He fell with his head striking a rock. Oh, such a sight !
 
 THE CHAIN 18 LENGTHENED. 297 
 
 The doctors say it was all over in a moment. I don't 
 know whether to be thankful or not. Sudden death is 
 always terrible; what must it be where there is no 
 preparation whatever for it?" 
 
 " His poor wife ! " I said. " And we can do nothing 
 to soften this blow." 
 
 The old gentleman wrung my hand, and sobbed 
 aloud. 
 
 " Wilmer, pity me, when I say from my heart that I 
 firmly believe, had Claude Lecount lived another year, 
 his wife would have been in her grave before the end 
 of it. His ill-treatment was killing her. You would 
 hardly know her now." 
 
 " This will be a fearful shock, nevertheless, and her 
 constitution is very frail." 
 
 " Yes, I know it, I know it only too well, but what 
 can I do ? No one realizes what she has suffered this 
 past year, what misery of heart and mind. I have seen 
 it in her face. This will be a deeper sorrow, but if she 
 survives it we will do our best to guard her from any 
 like it in the future. Poor child, her life seems fated to 
 be one of unhappiness ! When will her troubles end ? " 
 
 " Did you see Mrs. Dimon ? " I asked. 
 
 " No, she would not meet me. But I know all she 
 had to tell. When she got out of the wagon, she looked 
 for him, and found him lying just as he had fallen, 
 quite dead. She went to the nearest house as fast as 
 possible, and the people there sent a litter for him in 
 the midst of all that storm, and two doctors, who hap- 
 13*
 
 298 DE. WILMER'S LOV.E. 
 
 pened to be in the hotel, went with it. They saw that 
 nothing could be done. I have given the necessary 
 orders. He will be taken home to-morrow. It would 
 not be right to let his wife see him in his present condi- 
 tion. They tell me that he will look more natural after 
 a day or two." 
 
 " Then you will return to-morrow ? " 
 " Yes, in the afternoon, if Belle is able to go." 
 " How strange it all appears ! " I said. " I feel like 
 one in a dream." 
 
 " And so you may ; events follow each other so rap- 
 idly now, that one shock is scarcely over before another 
 comes. Wilmer, I did like that young man, and, in 
 spite of all his faults, I never lost hope of him till 
 within this last year. Lately, however, he has been 
 perfectly mad in his recklessness. If Mrs. Dirnon has a 
 spark of feeling left, this night's work ought to bring it 
 out. He is not the first young fellow that she has led 
 to ruin. If only this might be a warning to her, and 
 all married flirts like her ! " 
 
 " She is a new acquaintance, is she not ? " 
 " Yes, Hammond introduced him to her. There is 
 some connection between him and Mrs. Diinon. I can't 
 discover what it is. Sometimes I fancy that he is her 
 brother, but her avoidance of him when her husband is 
 present makes me doubt the fact. At any rate, it was 
 Hammond that suggested this place to Claude, and Mrs. 
 Dimon was here when we came. She went to work at 
 once to attract Lecount, and you see how she succeeded.
 
 THE CHAIN IS LENGTHENED. 299 
 
 "We could not induce Belle to return home. She insist- 
 ed on remaining near her husband. Poor child! she 
 hoped to gain him in the end. This is a sorrowful ter- 
 mination of her short married life, and it began so bright 
 too. Well, we cannot look into the future ; we must be 
 satisfied with what comes, as long as we feel that we are 
 not to blame in bringing the trouble on ourselves. Poor 
 Claude ! he never would realize the substantial means 
 for happiness and the blessings that surrounded him." 
 Mrs. Masters joined us while we stood talking. 
 
 " How is Belle ? " asked her husband. 
 
 "I can't tell. She appears crushed and utterly 
 
 stunned. If she would only cry but no, she just lies 
 quiet, with her eyes closed, as if thinking. I brought 
 Arthur to her, but even that did not rouse her. Pauline 
 is with her now ; poor girl, she controls herself wonder- 
 fully, and tries to comfort Belle. She wants to go with 
 you, if you think of returning to the other hotel to-night. 
 She says she feels able to see him, and I believe it will 
 be* better to satisfy her." 
 
 " Very well, then, I will take her ; perhaps it is best 
 for Belle not to have so many around her." 
 
 " Any thing that might increase her agitation should 
 be avoided," I said. 
 
 " Then I will keep her as quiet as possible. But, Doc- 
 tor Wilmer, I can hardly overcome my surprise at see- 
 ing you here among us. What does it mean ? " 
 
 I explained my unexpected appearance, to their great 
 astonishment.
 
 300 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 "How long shall we have you with us ?" asked Mr. 
 Masters. 
 
 " Until five o'clock to-morrow morning. I shall just 
 have time to join the detachment I am going with. Do 
 not mention my presence here to Mrs. Lecount," I said 
 to Mrs. Masters, as she wished me an affectionate good- 
 by. " The singularity of the fact will only add to her 
 excitement." 
 
 She promised, and, having wished me success and a 
 safe return, she left us, to go back to her charge. For 
 several hours Mr. Masters and I remained together, talk- 
 ing over the events of the day. About twelve o'clock 
 Mrs. Masters joined us in the parlor where we sat, and 
 reported that Mrs. Lecount was asleep, and Miss Pau- 
 line ready to accompany Mr. Masters. He went to 
 make the necessary arrangements, and Mrs. Masters 
 spoke to me about Belle's health, and the means to be 
 taken for her perfect recovery. 
 
 I advised a removal to the country, and a total lack 
 of all excitement. 
 
 "I think you are right, and, just as quickly as it can 
 be done, we will find a pretty place somewhere in your 
 neighborhood and remove to it. Mr. Masters has been 
 wishing to do so for years, but we could not make up 
 our minds to leave New York while Belle remained 
 there." 
 
 " Mrs. Lecount seemed to enjoy country life some 
 years ago," I said, musingly. 
 
 "Yes, she has spoken always as if it possessed the
 
 THE CHAIN IS LENGTHENED. 301 
 
 greatest charms for her. Latterly, too, she has often re- 
 verted to little incidents that occurred in your mother's 
 house, and once she said, with a sigh, that the years she 
 spent there were the happiest of her life. However, 
 there may be much pleasure in store for her yet. She 
 is only twenty-five years of age too young to lose all 
 hope, and become tired of the world. Once the shock 
 of this grief is over, the elasticity of spirit and bright- 
 ness of youth may return to her." 
 
 " You are sure that she has no cough ? " I asked. 
 
 " Quite sure ; no, that is not the trouble now. For 
 some time past her strength seems to have gradually de- 
 creased. Every day she is less inclined to make any 
 exertion. Still, she has persisted in doing what she con- 
 sidered her duty. To me she is a complete enigma. She 
 has borne little annoyances, too numerous to mention, 
 without a word of complaint. Since we came here, no 
 insult, that could -\*ound a sensitive, refined mind, has 
 been omitted. Every indignity has been heaped upon 
 her, and yet nothing that we could urge would induce 
 her to go home with her child, and leave her husband to 
 his chosen companions. Perhaps we were wrong to 
 propose such action, but he and Mrs. Dimon took par- 
 ticular pains to offend her, and we felt that the morti- 
 fication was killing her. She has never said a word to 
 either of us in reference to her husband's conduct, but 
 we could tell by her appearance that his unkindness 
 and neglect were breaking her heart. You would hardly 
 recognize in her the bright young girl that left your
 
 302 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 mother's house five years ago ! I can't remember when 
 I heard her laugh, and the sad smile that she gives 
 Arthur always brings the tears into my eyes. If I only 
 had the key to all this that seems so strange ! Mr. 
 Masters insisted that it all lay in the fickleness of Mr. 
 Lecount's nature. He argued that Claude's love was a. 
 mere passion, soon forgotten, and that the conviction 
 of its utter worthlessness was destroying Belle, since 
 she had perfect faith in its depth and sincerity. I can- 
 not agree with him, and yet I cannot account for the 
 trouble that certainly has weighed her down for years. 
 That the marriage was an unhappy one is most certain ; 
 and that there was a cause for the misery they both 
 suffered some secret that lay between the two is my 
 firm belief." 
 
 " I cannot hazard an opinion," I said, in answer to 
 her questioning look. " They seemed to be suited to 
 each other, and she made her own choice ; it is impos- 
 sible for us to account for the change in their mutual 
 affection. From all you say, I should judge that the 
 fault was on Mr. Lecount's side, and that his wife's love 
 for him had never wavered. Her patience and meek 
 endui-ance would argue that she still hoped to regain 
 his affection." 
 
 "Perhaps you are right. Still, your explanation 
 does not satisfy me. I think that Belle was disap- 
 pointed, and I will tell you why I think so. For six 
 months after they were married every thing was as 
 pleasant and smooth as could be desired. They were
 
 THE CHAIN IS LENGTHENED. 303 
 
 like two children together, unreserved and merry when 
 addressing each other, and apparently the utmost con- 
 fidence and harmony existing between them. If that 
 condition of things had died away gradually, I might 
 think as you and Mr. Masters do. Belle's feelings are 
 deep and strong as well as impulsive, and Claude's 
 affection might not answer all the requirements of such 
 an apparently contradictory temperament. On the con- 
 trary, their unrestrained gayety and evident pleasure 
 in each other's society ended suddenly, and without 
 any apparent reason. That is why I suspect a mystery 
 never confided to another. If such a cause existed, 
 they were both too proud to mention it." 
 
 " And you remarked this alteration in them soon 
 after their marriage ? It is strange, but there must have 
 been a foundation for it, for my sister noticed it at the 
 same time." 
 
 " Yes, and mentioned it to me, but I was afraid to 
 acknowledge its existence even to myself; and I made 
 light of her remarks, and tried to make her believe that 
 she was mistaken. Unfortunately, she was only too 
 correct in her observations. The difference existed be- 
 tween them then, and has never been removed. I do 
 not know what others may have suspected ; I am sure 
 that Mr. Masters, Pauline and I have been conscious 
 of their unhappiness all along. I hope for her own 
 sake, poor girl, that she was not the most in fault ; if so, 
 her grief will be all the more bitter, and this blow much 
 harder."
 
 304 DR. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 "I will answer for her truth," I said, warmly. 
 " Whatever was the trouble, I am sure that she never 
 caused it." 
 
 " I sincerely hope that you are right. Her con- 
 scientiousness is so great, that, if self-convicted, her re- 
 morse would be lifelong." 
 
 " I cannot believe that she had any thing to do with 
 it voluntarily. This sorrowful condition of things has 
 been forced upon her ; she never brought it on herself." 
 
 " Sallie," Mr. Masters said, coming in hastily, " I 
 am all ready let us go for Miss Pauline. Wilmer, I 
 shall see you before you start." 
 
 Mrs. Masters hurried away, and a few minutes after- 
 ward Mr. Masters passed the open door with Miss Pau- 
 line on his arm. I heard the carriage drive off rapidly, 
 and then, leaving word with a servant to .call me in 
 time, I retired to my room for a few hours' sleep. 
 
 At five o'clock the next morning I found Mr. 
 Masters pacing back and forth on the piazza, looking 
 worn and weary in the clear, cheerful light. He had 
 been up all night, and was only just returned from his 
 sorrowful visit to the other hotel. After a few parting 
 words I left him, promising to write from Washington ? 
 which I reached soon after, by way of Annapolis.
 
 CHAPTER XIII. 
 
 ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FRIEND. 
 
 THE regiment to which I belonged was stationed on 
 Arlington Heights, and, during the few weeks that in- 
 tervened between my arrival there and the movement 
 of the army toward Manassas, I received numerous 
 letters from my friends and family. Several changes 
 consequent on the death of Mr. Lecount had taken 
 place. Young Mrs. Lecount was lying very sick in her 
 guardian's house, where she had been taken the day 
 after her husband's funeral. His sudden death, and the 
 very unpleasant circumstances attending it, had affected 
 her in a manner far worse than was at first anticipated. 
 My mother and sister had hastened to attend her at Mr. 
 Masters' urgent entreaty, and her continued illness was 
 causing them the greatest anxiety, a fact most visible 
 in the tone of their letters. Miss Pauline had returned 
 home, my sister wrote, in a sad state of depression, out 
 of which her family found it impossible to arouse 
 her. 
 
 To add to the general gloom, Mr. Masters was
 
 306 DE. WLLMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 shocked at the condition of Mr. Lecount's affairs. He 
 had apprehended more or less trouble in regard to them, 
 and suspected the existence of several heavy debts, but 
 he was utterly unprepared for the real facts of the case 
 as they were presented to him. He found himself be- 
 set by Mr. Lecount's creditors ; claims of the most 
 unforeseen nature were sent in to him, those classed 
 as debts of honor being very numerous and large, and 
 notes for heavy amounts were about being protested. 
 In his first feeling of amazement and anger, he disputed 
 them ; but, upon searching Mr. Lecount's papers, he 
 found that they were only too correct. 
 
 Immediate payment of all these liabilities was 
 entirely out of the question, and their gradual liquida- 
 tion in full, with interest, would require nearly the 
 whole of Mrs. Lecount's income for many years. In his 
 perplexity, Mr. Masters would have liked to propose a 
 compromise for a small amount. He thought it great 
 injustice for Mrs. Lecount to be obliged to pay debts 
 contracted by her husband on the race-course and in 
 gambling-saloons, inasmuch as they could not be col- 
 lected legally. Observing the trouble that was weigh- 
 ing on his mind, she guessed the cause of it, and insisted 
 on having an explanation of the whole affair. 
 
 In spite of her weakness, she examined every claim, 
 decided the question for herself, and announced her in- 
 tention of paying them all in full, with interest. 
 
 " But it will take years to do it ! " Mr. Masters said. 
 
 "Very well; call a meeting of the creditors, tell
 
 ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FEIEND. 307 
 
 thorn my resolution, and the means I have for carrying 
 it out. That will satisfy them, and they will be kind 
 enough to wait patiently until their claims can be set- 
 tled," was the answer. 
 
 " You will have to economize and live on very little," 
 urged Mr. Masters. 
 
 " I am quite willing that it should be so ; if only 
 you will pay those who need their money, at once. I 
 cannot endure the thought of any one suffering on my 
 account, and I am certain that some of those tradesmen 
 are really poor." 
 
 " This will make a serious difference in Arthur's for- 
 tune," went on Mr. Masters, " and as it is, you are los- 
 ing money every day. Property is depreciating in 
 value, and your rents must be lowered, if we expect to 
 keep the tenants that occupy the houses at present." 
 
 " I should prefer seeing Arthur poor to letting him 
 hear his father's name coupled with dishonesty." 
 
 "Then it shall be as you wish," Mr. Masters replied, 
 as he gathered the bills into a bundle and left the room. 
 In accordance with her desire, the pretty home was let, 
 furnished, and Mrs. Lecount took up her residence per- 
 manently in her guardian's house. Shortly after the 
 unfortunate battle at Manassas, my sister wrote that 
 she was about returning home to attend to the domestic 
 affairs ; but that mother would still remain with " poor 
 Belle," who did not recover her spirits, and was " still 
 very helpless and weak." 
 
 During the inactivity that followed the fight at Ball's
 
 308 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 Bluff, I was appointed to a position on one of the boards 
 of examination then being instituted, to inquire into the 
 qualifications of the officers forming the medical corps 
 of the army. Thus occupied, I remained in Washington 
 the greater part of the winter, seeking and finding a for- 
 getfulness of the past, in the performance of the many 
 duties presented to me. Just before starting for the Pen- 
 insula in the spring, I received letters from home of quite 
 a pleasing character. Mr. Masters was negotiating for 
 a house in our vicinity, and young Mrs. Lecount was so 
 far recovered as to be able to take an active part in the 
 hospital- work going on in New York. 
 
 " You will be surprised to hear," wrote my sister, 
 " that she has mastered the art of turning a heel, and is 
 knitting socks for our soldiers constantly. She also be- 
 longs to relief societies, cuts out work, visits the sick 
 and wounded in the hospital, and has taken a helpless 
 widow and her family of little children under her own 
 special care. Mr. Masters thinks that this regular 
 employment for head and hands is having a good effect 
 upon her health and spirits, and he contributes large 
 sums to carry out her benevolent schemes. I am look- 
 ing forward eagerly for their arrival here ; her example 
 and influence will do wonders for our village ' aid 
 society.' Pauline is going to Washington, to join the 
 corps of nurses. Her people were very much opposed to 
 the idea at first, but her continued lowness of spirits, and 
 desire for a change of scene, at length overcame their 
 dislike to her design. You would scarcely recognize
 
 ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FRIEND. 309 
 
 her, and I really believe that her quiet life here was 
 killing her. None of them have been the same since 
 Claude's death; it was a dreadful shock to his poor 
 mother, and sitting brooding over it was not the thing 
 for a girl of Pauline's active mind and energetic charac- 
 ter. She was fast growing into a state of apathy and 
 indifference to all around her, most sad to witness. I 
 think her heart was bound up in her brother Claude. 
 Since his death, the great intimacy that existed between 
 her and Belle seems to have ceased ; the news of Mr. 
 Masters' intention to settle here among us had no 
 visible effect upon her for good ; it rather appeared to 
 increase her desire for going away. Of course, the 
 sight of Belle and Arthur would keep Claude's terri- 
 ble end before her mind perpetually, and she real- 
 ized its horror most bitterly and to the fullest extent. 
 From all I hear, it was a most awful affair. Victor 
 keeps the family in a condition of alternate delight and 
 despair delight for his bravery and rapid promotion 
 (he is now a major) and despair, lest he too should 
 never return. To-day, his mother wishes that he was 
 safe beside her, pursuing his quiet profession ; and to- 
 morrow she will come with flushed cheeks and bright 
 eyes to tell us that she would not recall him for the 
 world. All our absent heroes are acquitting themselves 
 nobly, and, what with home duties, society meetings, 
 and the reading of army letters, we are in a state of 
 excitement in which pleasure and pain are so mingled, 
 that often it is impossible to tell which feeling is upper-
 
 310 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 most. I wish very much that you were in the regiment 
 with Victor and our other boys, but that is too much 
 to ask for." 
 
 Thus wrote my sister ; and the hopeful, enthusiastic 
 tone of all her letters enabled rue to set out with a light 
 heart, and a mind free from all cares unconnected with 
 the duties of my office. 
 
 The events that followed the arrival of the Army 
 of the Potomac at Fortress Monroe have become fit 
 subjects for the talents of the ablest historians of the 
 day. That the army failed in achieving the object 
 for which it fought, is beyond dispute. Perhaps the 
 reasons for that failure will never be agreed upon ; 
 many of them may never be brought to light. It is 
 to be hoped that, in the time to come, when the fog 
 of prejudice, envy, dislike, and political partisanship, 
 that always envelops and obscures the actions of the 
 present, shall have been cleared away, due justice 
 will be done to the talent and patriotism of the 
 commanding general, and to the unexcelled bravery 
 and enthusiasm of the men that fought under him. 
 Let Antietam and South Mountain testify to their 
 unflinching courage, after a bitter reverse, and their 
 devotion to their idolized young leader. A man 
 must deserve great respect, and be capable of inspir- 
 ing strange confidence in the soldiers' hearts, when 
 he can take the shattered regiments of a broken and 
 dispirited army, and with them defeat the same en- 
 emy reenforced and flushed with victory.
 
 ANOT1IEB LINK, AND AN OLD FEIEND. 311 
 
 During General Pope's campaign in Virginia I had 
 the misfortune to be taken prisoner, and I paid a com- 
 pulsory visit to Richmond in consequence. Our flank 
 had been turned, and our men were in full retreat, per- 
 fectly careless of the wounded lying on the field. A 
 small barn, that we had taken possession of for the ac- 
 commodation of the unfortunate eoldiers, was fired upon 
 in spite of the hospital flag exposed to view, and a few 
 minutes after a party of the enemy entered, and called 
 upon us to surrender. The young surgeon who was as- 
 sisting me burst into a loud laugh at the words. For a 
 moment, the sound of his mirth grated on my ears ; but 
 on looking about me, the ludicrousness of the demand 
 was apparent. Stretched upon the hay and straw, 
 which we had hastily scattered over the wood flooring, 
 were a dozen or more of our poor fellows, in postures de- 
 noting the intensity of their sufferings. Helpless and 
 uncomplaining, they lay patiently awaiting their turn to 
 be attended to. Hunger and fatigue, consequent upon 
 their forced marches and desperate fighting, had weak- 
 ened their constitutions, and when to this condition 
 were added the effects of their recent wounds, their ap- 
 pearance was indeed pitiable. Not knowing what mer- 
 cy to expect, they fixed their eyes on their captors with 
 an expression in which curiosity and sadness were 
 strangely mingled, and left the settlement of the affair 
 to us. 
 
 I threw a hasty glance through the open door and 
 windows, but no means of help were visible. Every one
 
 312 DR. WILMER'S LOYE. 
 
 capable of retreating had disappeared in the wake of the 
 defeated army. It was a hot, sultry afternoon in the 
 end of August. The trees were white with dust and 
 parched for want of rain. On one side lay a thick AVOOC!, 
 through which had come the force that decided the for- 
 tune of the day. In every other direction were stretched 
 uncultivated fields, with fences broken down, the ground 
 torn up by cannon-balls, and rendered uneven by the 
 deep tracks of the heavy artillery-wagons. Everywhere 
 were scattered the debris of battle, and over all was shin- 
 ing the brilliant sun, rendering still more intense with 
 its burning heat the sufferings of our deserted wounded, 
 whose forms dotted the earth on all sides. 
 
 I asked in vain that we might be parolled, and left to 
 care for the poor fellows around us. An officer in com- 
 mand of the party declared his intentions of taking not 
 only us, but all of the wounded that he could collect, 
 along with him. 
 
 "Here is one, then, that I'm thinking you'll never 
 take," answered a soldier who was lying at our feet, at 
 the same time raising himself on his elbow, and point- 
 ing to a slight form almost concealed in the hay near 
 him. 
 
 I followed the movement with surprise, not having 
 before noticed the figure he meant. 
 
 " He was brought in here quite early in the day, while 
 you were on the field," Doctor Berry said, remarking my 
 astonishment. " He was past hope then, and I thought 
 it better to attend to those who mi^ht survive."
 
 ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FRIEND. 313 
 
 I pulled the straw aside, and raised the dying boy ; 
 as I did so, the light shining on his belt showed the num- 
 ber of his regiment and his company. For a moment my 
 heart seemed to cease beating; then I brushed aside 
 the heavy hair from the damp forehead, and looked at 
 the thin features over which the gray hue of death was 
 stealing. " Poor Mrs. Johnson ! " I muttered, almost in- 
 audibly. It was her youngest son that I held in my 
 arms. 
 
 He opened his eyes, and looked in my face. 
 
 " Walter, my boy, don't you know me ? " I asked. 
 
 He smiled faintly. 
 
 " If I could only see mother again ! " he gasped. 
 They were his last words. 
 
 " If you would like it done, some of my men will bury 
 him, and you can put a mark near the grave, so that you 
 can find it again," said the Southern officer, touching me 
 on the shoulder. 
 
 I thanked him for his kindness, and accepted the offer. 
 \Ve collected some blankets to wrap the poor boy in, and 
 Doctor Berry cut his initials in a piece of wood, that 
 served for a head-stone to his grave. Some few little ar- 
 ticles that were in his pockets I carried with me to send 
 to his mother. That sad duty performed, we prepared 
 the wounded men for a march to the enemy's camp, as 
 well a* it was possible under the circumstances, and 
 started for our destination with heavy hearts. The pos- 
 sibility of the situation in which I now found myself 
 had never given me much trouble. I had been so fortu- 
 14
 
 314 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 nate hitherto in escaping both -wounds and capture, that 
 I had grown quite careless about the danger we all ran 
 of meeting the two evils. 
 
 Doctor Berry walked beside me, assisting a lame sol- 
 dier on his way, and the others of our party kept as near 
 to us as it was possible. Our captors entertained them- 
 selves by examining various little trifles picked up on 
 the field, comparing their treasures, and singing snatches 
 of songs, breathing fearful vengeance on the " Northern 
 foe." 
 
 The contemplation of the miseries of a prison-house, 
 and the feelings of those at home when they should hear 
 of our fate, completely put all ideas of singing out of 
 our minds, however patriotic we may have been at 
 heart. The knowledge of our defeat was also bitter to 
 us ; if we had met with this disaster during the prog- 
 ress of a victory for our side, I really don't think that 
 the men would have cared about it ; as it was, the low 
 curses, that I am sorry to say fell from their lips, were 
 all directed against the parties who in their opinion 
 were responsible for the failure of the day. 
 
 The officer in command strode on ahead of us, now 
 and then turning impatiently with an order to hasten 
 our steps. Once he joined me, and excused his severity 
 under the plea of having to carry out his orders, the 
 principal one being, to bring in all the prisoners he 
 could collect. He added that, personally, he had no 
 power to give a parole ; but that, if his general were still 
 in camp, he would procure me an interview with him.
 
 AKOTHEE LINK, AND AN OLD FEIEND. 315 
 
 Unfortunately, we found upon our arrival there that 
 the general had already gone forward with his com- 
 mand, and had left strict injunctions to " send all pris- 
 oners to Richmond." After a short delay, during 
 which those of the wounded who were unable to march 
 were placed in wagons, we set out on our weary jour- 
 ney, our number largely increased by more of our un- 
 fortunate comrades. The utter dreariness and the suf- 
 ferings connected with that march, and the imprison- 
 ment that followed it, will never be effaced from my 
 memory. The impressions left on my mind by the dif- 
 ferent scenes we witnessed will always remain with me. 
 I can recall with painful minuteness the aspect of the 
 desolated country, and the deserted, ruined homesteads ; 
 the appearance of our rough guards, with their worn 
 uniforms and fine horses; and the confused crowd of 
 which I formed a member. We were kept as close 
 together as it was possible, and a strange sight we pre- 
 sented. Men from various regiments, and in tattered 
 garments of all hues, were there, most of them suffering 
 from slight wounds, and all haggard, sleepy, and hun- 
 gry. Marching along thus, with gloomy, emaciated 
 countenances and bent forms, their complete lack of 
 energy and utter dejection struck me forcibly. We 
 outnumbered our captors ten to one ; and often before, 
 when reading of like circumstances, I had wondered 
 why the prisoners did not overpower their guards, and 
 attempt to escape ; it seemed to be an easy matter in 
 such a wide extent of country. The question no longer
 
 316 DE. WTUIER'S LOVE. 
 
 troubled me ; I realized the bitter effect of defeat on 
 soldiers usually brave and self-possessed. I understood 
 bow quickly an army may become demoralized and un- 
 controllable. Deprived of their officers and their weap- 
 ons, all other means of self-defence were forgotten; 
 they lost all the ardor and impetuosity of a soldier ; 
 their hands hung helpless by their sides, and complete 
 despair took possession of them. 
 
 On reaching Richmond, Doctor Berry and I, with the 
 other officers captured, were separated from the privates 
 and conducted to the quarters assigned us, a large room 
 in the Libby prison, filled with our unhappy comrades. 
 Our arrival served to break the weary monotony of the 
 day, and they listened eagerly to all the news we had 
 to tell. Sad tidings indeed, but still it supplied a sub- 
 ject for thought and discussion to the men, so tired of 
 contemplating their own wretched condition. In at- 
 tending to the descriptions of the movements of the 
 past few weeks, given by the officers who had partici- 
 pated in them, their eyes brightened, their cheeks 
 flushed and paled with alternate enthusiasm and sor- 
 row, and their voices regained some of the old ring and 
 depth of tone. 
 
 In the days that followed, I watched with surprise 
 the amusements that occupied the long, weary hours of 
 these full-grown men, and realized what they must 
 have endured before resorting in desperation to these 
 childish pursuits. Some played cards with an energy 
 and interest almost ludicrous under the circumstances,
 
 ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FEIEND. 317 
 
 and the little pieces of pasteboard were subjects for a 
 collector of curiosities. Owing to the amount of ser- 
 vice they had seen, they "were about as easy to be de- 
 ciphered as Egyptian hieroglyphics. Notwithstanding 
 their disagreeable appearance, I found myself, after a 
 few days, making a fourth in a game of " old sledge," 
 with great pleasure,. Several of my comrades enter- 
 tained themselves by cutting rings and other little orna- 
 ments out of pieces of bone and wood -begged from 
 the jailer. The pains they toot, and the patience they 
 exhibited, in carving and polishing the objects of so 
 much industry, were almost incredible. I know many 
 a mother -who wears with pride " the ring my son 
 made during his imprisonment in the Libby." Among 
 us were a few young fellows gifted with a talent for 
 sketching, and a spirit for fun not to be destroyed 
 under adversity. The caricatures with which they 
 filled every scrap of paper within their reach were al- 
 ways productive of merriment, and served to dispel 
 many a fit of dejection. Others kept diaries until their 
 materials were exhausted. Our condition, so intolera- 
 ble on the whole, taught us many good lessons. It 
 showed us human nature as it is ; drawing out capabili- 
 ties for action, and expressions of deep feeling, which, 
 under happier circumstances, would have remained un- 
 suspected and dormant till the end of time. Very few 
 could have left that prison-house without carrying 
 away with them kindlier feelings toward their fellow- 
 men than they had ever possessed before.
 
 318 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 I was standing one morning near a window, watch- 
 ing Doctor Berry in his efforts to fashion a little cross 
 from a piece of bone, when some one passing on the op- 
 posite side of the street attracted my attention by the 
 steady glance he fixed upon us. As I looked down at 
 him, he pulled his cap hastily over his eyes, and all I 
 distinguished was a man in the well-known gray, with 
 an immense beard, a thin figure, and a pair of very 
 brown hands. Half an hour passed. I was sitting with 
 my head bent on my arms, thinking of home with a 
 longing to hear from it, that seemed to be eating into 
 my heart ; and the opening of the door, which usually 
 caused more or less excitement, did not attract my at- 
 tention. A moment afterward a hand was laid on my 
 shoulder, and a well-known voice exclaimed : 
 
 " Jack, my dear boy, is this possible ? " 
 
 I looked up and met Harry Weston's eyes, dimmed 
 with tears, fixed on my face. 
 
 " How long have you been in this cursed place ? " he 
 exclaimed, before I had time to answer him, for he had 
 given me an embrace that nearly took my breath away. 
 
 " Since August ! " 
 
 " What ! three months, and you never sent for me ? 
 Jack, I'm ashamed of you." 
 
 " I never 'supposed for one moment that you were 
 here," I answered. 
 
 He understood me ; for a second his eyes fell, then 
 he looked me straight in the face. 
 
 " Wilmer, you shall not break our friendship without
 
 ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FRIEND. 319 
 
 hearing me. I regret from my heart the whole affair, 
 and in my capacity as a surgeon I have rendered assist- 
 ance to friend and foe alike. But I am a Virginian, a 
 Southerner born and bred, with all the principles and 
 prejudices that belong to us as a class. Whatever the 
 result may be, I shall stand by my own State and peo- 
 ple. I know all your arguments, but we have many 
 good ones on our side. The questions we are defending 
 have never been settled, and we have staked every thing 
 we own that they may be. decided now. Perhaps I am 
 wrong ; I am at least sincere. I can assure you that this 
 struggle has ruined all my prospects, and nearly beg- 
 gared me. May we not respect each other's views, and 
 be friends ? " 
 
 He held out his hand, and I took it in the spirit in 
 which it was offered. 
 
 " Half an hour ago," he went on, " when I saw 
 you at that window, I could hardly believe my senses. 
 As soon as I had performed my errand, I returned, to 
 satisfy myself of the truth of my eyesight. I am going 
 now to try and get you out on parole ; then we will go 
 home and see Edith, my wife. I have kept her here 
 with me all through in fact, it is a necessity ; my 
 mother has not left her room for three years, and to 
 remove her would be certain death. Perhaps, when 
 you see all, and realize my position better, you will not 
 think so badly of me." 
 
 He pressed my hand as he uttered the last words, 
 with a choking gasp, and went away hastily.
 
 320 DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 " Go home ! " How strangely the words sounded ! 
 How fully I realized their fond meaning now, their true 
 significance ! His very voice had softened in its tone as 
 he said them. Who could calculate the happiness that 
 this home had afforded him, or realize the blessing it 
 had been to him ? Only those who were equally fortunate 
 in possessing one. I brushed off the tears that the 
 thought " When shall I go home ? " occasioned, and, 
 pacing up and down the room, awaited his return. 
 
 He came back after some hours, looking flushed .and 
 tired, but happy at the success of his application. I 
 was a prisoner on parole, with liberty to go where I 
 pleased during the day, so long as I reported myself 
 faithfully at night, and made no notes of what was 
 passing in the city. 
 
 " That was all I could do for you, Jack, my boy ; 
 but cheer up they are arranging for an exchange now, 
 and you shall be included in the first detachment sent 
 away." This he said as we left the " Libby " together, 
 and proceeded in the direction of his house. 
 
 As we walked along, arm-in-arm, he entered into a 
 description of what his life had been since I had parted 
 from him shortly after his marriage. His voice, when 
 he mentioned his wife, and the tender, joyous expres- 
 sion that lit up his face, proved that his domestic 
 happiness was perfect, whatever troubles might have 
 checked his professional career. He spoke with pride 
 of his three little ones, and promised me a noisy wel- 
 come from them. The oldest child, a boy of four years,
 
 ANOTHEB LUTE, AND AN OLD FRIEND. 321 
 
 was at the gate waiting for him. He bounded into his 
 father's arms with an exclamation of delight, and, rest- 
 ing his curly little head on Harry's cheek, surveyed me 
 with a puzzled expression, half wonder, half fear. 
 
 "Come, Harry, shake hands with Doctor Wilmer; 
 he is one of papa's friends." 
 
 Master Harry looked rather dubious, as if he doubted 
 the possibility of the thing. 
 
 " Him has a blue coat on," he answered, with a look 
 of contempt on his childish face that was most amusing. 
 
 We both laughed heartily. 
 
 " Harry," I said, " you are educating him in your 
 
 own principles." 
 
 ^ 
 " Indeed, Jack, I have never tried to impress such 
 
 ideas on his mind, he is too young ; but, unfortunately, 
 the people who visit at my house are not so careful in 
 their remarks. He has picked up his notions from them, 
 not from his mother nor me." 
 
 " Harry and I will be good friends yet," I 'said. 
 " He will soon forget his dislike of a blue coat." 
 
 The homelike aspect of the place was quite refresh- 
 ing after three months of prison-life. The house was 
 low and wide, with a pretty veranda around it, still 
 covered with the bright foliage and flowers of the 
 Southern vines. There was an air of life and activity 
 about every thing that exerted a strange, pleasant in- 
 fluence over me, and from the open windows came the 
 sweet sound of a woman's soft voice, and light laughter. 
 
 Harry Weston ran up the steps, his child still on 
 14*
 
 322 DB. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 his shoulder, and threw open the door of the sitting- 
 room. 
 
 " Edith, here is Doctor Wilmer ; I found him to-day 
 in the Libby." 
 
 I looked into the room. Mrs. Weston was seated in 
 a low chair, sewing a little dress, and rocking with her 
 foot a cradle containing a beautiful baby of about two 
 months. On the sofa, almost covered with shawls, was 
 lying a delicate-looking old lady, with pretty features, 
 and a sweet expression of face. As her son spoke, she 
 dropped a coarse woollen stocking that she was knitting, 
 and looked toward us with unaffected surprise. Mrs. 
 Weston rose instantly from her seat, and the next mo- 
 ment was holding my hands in hers, and gazing into my 
 face with tears of compassion in her eyes. When she 
 spoke, it was in a voice of welcome and kindness that 
 went to my heart. The old lady, on comprehending 
 who I was, was quite pleased to see me, and a little 
 girl of three summers peeped from behind her grand- 
 mother's sofa, and greeted me with a bright smile. 
 
 " That is my little Edith, Jack," Harry said, " and 
 the young gentleman in the cradle is John Wilmer 
 Weston, at your service. You see we have not forgot- 
 ten you." 
 
 I bent over my little namesake with a feeling of 
 gratified pride. 
 
 " Come in here, Jack ! " Harry called out, opening 
 the door of an adjoining room. 
 
 " Here is my wardrobe ; suit yourself. I know I need
 
 ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FBIEND. 323 
 
 not tell you not to touch my best uniform ; but you will 
 find plenty of civilians' clothes there, and, if I don't make 
 a mistake, some of them are blue; I bought them just 
 before this trouble commenced." 
 
 " They are in the trunk, Harry," Mrs. Weston said, 
 coming into the room. " If you like, I can fasten 
 Doctor Wilmer's straps on the coat while he is dress- 
 ing." 
 
 " I believe Edith has a fancy, felt, but unexpressed, 
 for the blue uniform," Harry Westou said, throwing his 
 arm around his wife, and looking in her face. 
 
 " Since you are both sincere, may I not respect the 
 principles of each?" she answered, with flushed cheeks 
 and glistening eyes. 
 
 " Between us, "VVilmer," Harry went on, " there is 
 very little of the rebel in my wife. She has her own 
 opinions as well as .the rest of us. Happily for me, the 
 marriage service rises superior to political distinctions, 
 and so my wife remains with me in spite of my gray 
 uniform. Her two brothers are on your side in the 
 contest, and for that reason party questions are never 
 discussed in my house with my will. Mother is a hot 
 little rebel, and spends her time, as you see her now, 
 making up small comforts for our men. She never 
 leaves her sofa without assistance, and she suffers terri- 
 bly at times. This is one of her easy days." 
 
 " Is there no help for her ? " I asked, looking at the 
 quiet figure on the sofa in the next room. 
 
 " None whatever. Her health will never be restored,
 
 324 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 but she is happy and cheerful in the midst of all our 
 troubles. The children are every thing to her in the 
 way of amusement, and for society and attention she 
 depends almost entirely on my wife. In fact, but for 
 this little Northerner, I do not know what would be- 
 come of us." 
 
 " At this moment I wonder what will become of the 
 dinner," Mrs. Weston said, in a laughing tone, as she 
 left the room. 
 
 " Our best servants have run away from us, and 
 Mrs. Weston has to attend to nearly all the domestic 
 affairs herself. The few that remain here are working 
 under protest, just watching' for a good opportunity to 
 steal off. Our old nurse is the only one that we can 
 place the least dependence on. She is invaluable with 
 the children, and she has taken a curious fancy to my 
 wife, and tries to relieve her as much as possible from 
 her household cares ; still, they are too great a tax on 
 her strength." 
 
 Harry "Weston was opening a trunk as he talked, 
 from which he took a new suit of blue-flannel clothes ; 
 and having collected all the things necessary for my 
 toilet, he amused himself taking the straps off my old 
 coat, from which all brightness had long departed, and 
 conversing over the events of the day in his own earnest 
 manner. He had seated himself on a chair near the 
 window, and the rays of the setting sun, as they darted 
 into the room, shone full upon his blue eyes and fair 
 hair, and played over the bronzed cheeks and hands
 
 ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FKIEND. 325 
 
 that I remembered as white and delicate as those of a 
 woman. Whenever I think of him, I see him as he 
 looked that day, and bring to mind all his good-natured 
 actions. I recall him bending over his mother, and 
 easing her pain by his tender care and little attentions, 
 or with loving thoughtfulness assisting his wife in a 
 thousand little ways, too trifling, perhaps, to mention, 
 but they gave evidence of an affection which would 
 repay her for any and every hardship that she might be 
 called upon to suffer for his sake. 
 
 While I was dressing, he observed me glancing with 
 some curiosity from the floor to the costly mirror before 
 which I stood, and guessing my thoughts he commenced 
 laughing. 
 
 " The fact is, Jack, our carpets are gone to make 
 blankets for our soldiers. We have only those in the 
 parlor and sitting-room left. No doubt they will soon fol- 
 low the others, and they could not go in a better cause." 
 
 " You fight under difficulties," I said. 
 
 " Yes, we are called upon to make a great many 
 sacrifices ; loss of carpets is one of the least. I will tell 
 you what touches us the most ; it is the lack of all the 
 nourishing articles of food that we used to have from 
 the North. We don't care for ourselves, but it is hard 
 to see our wives and children pining for want of them. 
 I know that my wife does not regain her strength as 
 usual, and I feel the fact keenly. She will not allow it ; 
 but it is because she will not give me pain by confessing 
 it. Harry misses his fresh meat too. This continually
 
 326 DK. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 eating bacon is very unhealthy. We have fresh vege- 
 tables, of course, but they don't fill the place of beef 
 and mutton. I should take them all to Georgia if I 
 could remove my mother with safety, but that is im- 
 possible, and my wife will not hear of sending the two 
 older children away from her ; she will not trust them 
 to distant relatives." 
 
 " And I cannot blame, her ; besides, if our plans are 
 carried out, Georgia will soon be as unsafe as Virginia." 
 
 " Say what you please here, Jack, but don't express 
 your opinions quite so openly in any other place this 
 side of the line. To tell the truth, if we don't gain some 
 more decided successes soon, this place will be unbearable 
 between high prices and lack of necessaries. If my wife 
 were only safe out of all this misery but she declares 
 that she will never leave Richmond while I am in or 
 near it, and she means what she says." 
 
 " I wish," I said, looking into his face, which had 
 grown careworn and sad, "'that you could send your 
 little ones to us. My sister would be delighted to have 
 the charge of them, and Mrs. Lecount would welcome 
 them heartily. She has never forgotten the debt of 
 gratitude she owes your wife. Besides, she has but the 
 one child, and since her husband's death her life has 
 been very quiet and lonely. Your Harry would be a 
 nice playmate for her Arthur; they are about the 
 same age." 
 
 " Yes, there are not more than eight months between 
 them, I believe," Harry said, musingly.
 
 ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FRIEND. 327 
 
 Then his eyes brightened, and he took my hand and 
 pressed it warmly. 
 
 " Some day, Jack, I may remind you of this offer." 
 
 " You cannot do it too soon," I answered. " There 
 is a large house, with only two women in it, and plenty 
 of means. My mother would grow young again if she 
 could hear children's voices about her." 
 
 " I shall speak to Edith," Harry said, in a voice 
 hoarse with emotion. Then, with an effort that cost 
 him much, he whispered 
 
 " Jack, if we fail, I am a ruined man ; and if I die, 
 my wife and children will be entirely dependent on her 
 father ; and this war, for all I can tell, may have beg- 
 gared him. She has no one here to look to for help ; 
 my relatives have all staked their fortunes on the result 
 of the fight, and it will end for them the same as it will 
 for me." 
 
 I took his hand, and put mine on his shoulder. 
 Standing thus, we two men gazed for a moment each 
 into the other's face, and understood each the other's 
 heart. A knock at the door, and Mrs. Weston's sweet 
 voice, announcing dinner, startled us. Harry recovered 
 himself instantly, assumed his natural gayety, and as 
 we left the room complimented me on the alteration in 
 my appearance. During the meal, however, I felt con- 
 vinced that the traces of his emotion were only too 
 visible to his wife ; her voice became even softer when 
 addressing him, and her face borrowed some of the sad 
 expression that remained in his. I watched her per-
 
 328 DR. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 forming her duties of wife, mother, and housekeeper, 
 with a feeling of respect that bordered on adoration. 
 The war had almost impoverished her husband ; his 
 practice was swept away, his savings were invested in 
 bonds, and they were living on the slender pay he re- 
 ceived from the government. Owing to the high prices, 
 and the difficulty of obtaining them, luxuries of all 
 kinds were beyond their means. Their food was of the 
 plainest quality, and not always sufficient in quantity. 
 In spite of this and many other discomforts, Mrs. Wes- 
 ton was, in my opinion, far more beautiful than she had 
 been as Miss Edith Fullerton. I remembered her in her 
 bridal dress, glowing with youth, and radiant in the 
 fresh loveliness of girlhood. I saw her now, a wife and 
 mother, still young and handsome, but possessing the 
 greater beauty of expression which the cares and joys 
 of her married life had imparted to her face. I felt that 
 the trials of her position had increased her fine qualities 
 of head and heart, and strengthened her affections and 
 powers of endurance. She was graceful, even elegant, 
 in her dark cotton dress and linen collar, and the ab- 
 sence of all ornament seemed to bring into greater 
 prominence the Grecian outlines of her head, with its 
 coils of dark hair. Still, her beauty was her least charm. 
 There was a naturalness and a lack of all affectation in 
 her speech and manner that made her perfectly fasci- 
 nating. 
 
 During the few weeks that I remained in Richmond 
 after the day that Harry "Weston found me, I spent
 
 ANOTHER LINK, AND AN OLD FRIEND. 329 
 
 most of the hours of freedom allowed me in his sitting- 
 room. The children became fond of me, and even old 
 Mrs. "West on would grow brighter on seeing m^ in an- 
 ticipation of an argument on the respective merits of the 
 two armies. She was failing fast, a fact plainly visible 
 to her son and daughter-in-law, who, under the circum- 
 stances, felt keenly their reduced means of living, and 
 the impossibility of obtaining for the invalid many little 
 luxuries that she fancied and wished for. Another 
 anxiety was also weighing on young Mrs. Weston. 
 There were rumors of an approaching battle ; and the 
 departure of some of the troops stationed in Richmond 
 for the front was daily expected. 
 
 One morning, on going into the house, I found Mrs. 
 Weston sitting crying on a low chair by the window. 
 Her baby was on her knees, and the two older children, 
 attracted by the sight of their mother's tears, were lean- 
 ing against her, with their arms around her neck, trying 
 in vain to kiss them away. She looked up with a faint 
 smile on seeing me, and motioned to me to speak softly, 
 so as not to disturb the old lady, who was asleep on her 
 sofa. 
 
 " I have been trying to make up my mind to accept 
 your kind offer, Doctor Wilmer," she said, taking my 
 hand, " but it comes very hard on me. Separating from 
 my children Avill be a bitter trial ; one I never antici- 
 pated, although I thought that I had considered the very 
 worst results that could arise from this unhappy war. 
 Harry has been talking about it ever since you mentioned
 
 330 DB. WILMEK'S LOYE. 
 
 it to him. He has tried to make me understand its ad- 
 vantages, and of course I realize them ; still I cannot part 
 with them, they are such a comfort to us all here. If 
 Harry goes away again, I do not know what I shall do. 
 I have lost courage fearfully since baby came. Harry 
 attributes it to my want of strength. He says I look 
 too much on the dark side. Perhaps I do. Certainly 
 the difficulties of our position seem to increase, and 
 there is no sign of the war coming to an end. Perhaps 
 some day I may be only too glad to ask you for advice 
 and assistance." 
 
 I had never before seen Mrs. Weston give way to such 
 gloomy thoughts ; on the contrary, her cheerfulness and 
 hopefulness had often surprised me. Drawing little 
 Harry on my knee, I endeavored to lead her mind to 
 other subjects. I spoke of my home, and our friends 
 there, and, without intending it, I disclosed my own 
 anxiety of mind, for, although I had written several 
 times to my mother, no answer had ever reached me 
 from her. 
 
 " Harry felt quite delighted last night," Mrs. TVes- 
 ton replied. " He thinks the exchange will go on at 
 once, without further interruption. You must promise 
 to write often after you leave here, and, if possible, I 
 shall answer you." 
 
 The opening of the gate drew our attention, and, 
 looking through the window, we saw Harry Weston 
 coming hurriedly up the walk. He was equipped for a 
 march, and his wife knew instinctively the meaning of
 
 ANOTHEB LINK:, AND AN OLD FEIEND. 331 
 
 his sudden appearance. She became deathly pale, and, 
 laying the baby in the cradle, as if unable to hold it, she 
 went softly out of the room, and met him at the door. 
 
 I saw her husband's face brighten when he caught 
 sicrht of her, waiting on the veranda to welcome him. 
 
 O * O 
 
 A moment after, when they came together into the 
 room, she was begging him to lay aside his heavy knap- 
 sack, and smoothing the bright hair from his heated 
 face with trembling hands. 
 
 " He is going away," was all she could say to me, in 
 a choking voice, as she motioned Harry to his usual 
 arm-chair near his mother's sofa. 
 
 "I can't sit down, Edith, love ; I have only time to 
 kiss the little ones, mother, and you. The regiment has 
 started. "VViliner," he went on, turning to me, " you 
 will probably leave for Fortress Monroe to-morrow. 
 I just sa^w the list, and your name is on it, old fellow 
 all right. Don't forget us here in Dixie, when you 
 are safe again in Washington," he added, gayly, with 
 an effort to recover his old light manner. "We are 
 off to the front. This is worse than fighting," he 
 said, a moment after, looking at his wife's face bent 
 on his shoulder. 
 
 " Just an instant, darling," he whispered, releasing 
 her hands from their clasp around his neck. He 
 leaned over his mother, then, while she blessed him and 
 wished him success in a feeble voice that shook with 
 emotion in spite of her attempted self-control. My 
 poor friend, I can see him now, bending over the baby-
 
 332 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 face in the cradle, and leaving passionate kisses mingled 
 with bitter tears on the childish lips that he might 
 never touch again. The remembrance of his wife's face, 
 when he turned to her to kiss her for the last time, will 
 remain with me as long as I live. She watched him 
 until his form could no longer be distinguished in the 
 busy street, and then, sinking on her knees beside the 
 cradle, she laid her head on the pillow near the uncon- 
 scious little baby-face, and sobbed convulsively. 
 
 " Edith, daughter ! " the old lady called from her 
 sofa, " do not fret like that. You never before gave 
 way so much. Harry will return safe to you and his 
 children. Come to me, your poor old mother, that may 
 never see her son again." 
 
 " Poor mother ! " Mrs. Weston said, rising hastily ; 
 then taking the quiet little figure in her arms, she 
 soothed and caressed it, and tried, by comforting the 
 helpless mother, to gain some hope for her own heavy 
 heart. 
 
 "I never before felt so desolate and despondent, 
 although Harry has often left us just as unexpectedly," 
 she said, turning to me. "Do you think it foretells 
 misfortune ? " 
 
 "I think that you are not strong, and therefore dis- 
 posed to imagine all kinds of horrors coming upon you. 
 
 
 Your nerves are in a weakened condition, and you see 
 
 only the troubles that may arise, not the blessings. 
 Try and grow stronger for Harry's sake. If he has the 
 misfortune to fall into our hands, I shall take care of
 
 ANOTHEB LINK, AND AN OLD FJJIEND. 333 
 
 him. We surgeons, as a general thing, run but little 
 danger of wounds." 
 
 " Yes, but Harry has, more than once, led a com- 
 pany when its officers have all fallen, and I really believe 
 that he enjoyed the danger it placed him in." 
 
 " Harry never knew what fear was," said old Mrs. 
 Weston, energetically. 
 
 Her daughter sighed wearily, as if not so much im- 
 pressed by the beauties of Harry's courage. 
 
 "There is hardly a house in our country where the 
 women are not suffering as we are to-night. I only 
 hope that we may have more victories. It inspires our 
 men with so much enthusiasm ! " the old lady exclaimed, 
 warming with the subject. 
 
 Her daughter sighed again, and busied herself with 
 the children, instead of answering. 
 
 Afterward, in view of my probable departure on 
 the next day, Mrs. "Weston wrote letters to her father 
 and brothers, which I undertook to forward to them on 
 my return t Washington. I bade the family good-by 
 that afternoon with a heavy heart. In spite of the 
 home-like surroundings, there was an air of desolation 
 over every thing, and it seemed impossible to shake off 
 the gloomy impressions that Harry's absence had occa- 
 sioned. Mrs. Weston, with all her efforts to regain her 
 usual cheerfulness, looked pale and crashed, and quite 
 unable to sustain the cares of her position. Even the 
 old lady's spirit had died away ; and the children, awed 
 by the sorrowful faces around them, had crept silently
 
 334 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 out of the room and down to the gate, to " look for 
 papa," as little Edith said. 
 
 I returned to the Libby with sad forebodings, re- 
 membering Mrs. Weston's slight, drooping figure, and 
 the baby-face she held against her own, as she stood 
 in the window of the sitting-room watching my de- 
 parture. 
 
 The next morning, as Harry had anticipated, I heard 
 my name called off the list in the jailer's hand, and 
 along with Doctor Berry, who was equally fortunate, I 
 joined the detachment on their way to exchange and 
 freedom. 
 
 One of the first faces I saw at Fortress Monroe was 
 Mr. Masters'. He had been informed of my capture 
 soon after it occurred, but not hearing further tidings 
 of me, as my letters never reached home, he had at 
 length started alone, determined on finding me, if alive. 
 At Washington he could ascertain nothing definite, so 
 he set out for Fortress Monroe, and was more fortunate 
 in his search. He visited the hospitals, whtre many of 
 our returned prisoners were lying sick, and one of them, 
 who had been in the Libby with me, informed him of 
 my presence there, and of my good health. Overjoyed 
 at this news, Mr. Masters wrote home at once, but made 
 up his mind to stay on, in the hope of seeing me ex- 
 changed.
 
 CHAPTER XIY. 
 
 BETWEEN TOE KIFLE-PITS AT FKEDEEICKSBUEG. 
 
 went to Washington together, as I intended 
 asking for leave of absence, and going home for a few 
 weeks. I was disappointed in my calculations. AU 
 though near the end of December, another movement 
 of the army was in progress. Every thing was in pre- 
 paration for the coming fight, all furloughs had been 
 recalled, and we were ordered to rejoin our regiments 
 without delay. The division to which mine belonged 
 was then at Falmouth, and, having consigned all my 
 packages and letters for Mrs. Johnson and Mr. Fullerton 
 to Mr. Masters' care, I started for that place, accom- 
 panied still by Doctor Berry. We were just in time 
 for the opening of the ball, and our old comrades hailed 
 our appearance with delight. The division was under 
 marching orders, and at daybreak of the morning fol- 
 lowing our arrival we started toward the scene of the 
 coming battle. We were halted on a large field about 
 half a mile from the Rappahannock, where we awaited 
 the orders to move forward.
 
 336 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 Our men were attempting to lay the bridges under 
 a murderous fire from the enemy's sharpshooters, who 
 were stationed in the houses of Fredericksburg. They 
 were picked off by dozens, yet the work went on. Be- 
 fore morning the bridges were finished, and our forces 
 crossed under a heavy cannonade from the rebel batteries, 
 and slowly drove the men out of the city and into their 
 earthworks. 
 
 The main body of the enemy was strongly posted 
 on the side of a sloping hill commanding the city the 
 batteries and rifle-pits, with the lines of infantry sup- 
 porting them, being plainly visible to our soldiers as 
 they advanced against them. Our lines of battle had 
 been formed in a hollow back of the city, and under a 
 hot fire the men marched steadily toward the first row 
 of rifle-pits. Though terribly cut down, they carried 
 it, and went into the second, but, being unable to hold 
 that, they fell back on the first, and remained there all 
 night. In marching up the slope, my regiment had 
 been exposed to a heavy fire, and a shell had burst in 
 the ranks, killing and wounding a number of the men. 
 
 That night, when out with one of the parties that 
 were bringing in the wounded, I came upon a group of 
 pi-ivates belonging to my own regiment. They had 
 stolen out of the rifle-pit which our men were holding, 
 and were searching for their own comrades who had 
 fallen during the fight. They succeeded in finding a 
 number of them, and carrying them off the field. Still 
 later, I met them as they returned from burying those
 
 BETWEEN THE EIFLE-PITS AT FEEDERICKSBUBG. 337 
 
 that were killed. It was a deserted part of the field, 
 some distance from the line of sentinels, and they 
 stopped to light their pipes, which they contrived to 
 carry and save, under all circumstances. 
 
 " Is Lieutenant Williams safe ? " I asked. He was 
 my best friend in the regiment, and I always thought 
 of him first after a battle. He was daring and cool, 
 and never hesitated to expose himself when it was ne- 
 cessary to encourage the men, though at the same 
 time he was never reckless or foolhardy. The mem- 
 bers of his company were fond of him ; he was just the 
 man to gain their respect, and keep it when won. He 
 had told me many things concerning his family and 
 himself. He was an only child, and his mother had 
 been left a widow before he had reached his seventh 
 birthday. She had a small income, on which she had 
 managed to give him a good education. When the war 
 broke out, he held a fine position in a wholesale house in 
 New York, one that promised rapid advancement, and 
 he was engaged to be married. At that time he be- 
 longed to a militia regiment that was among the first 
 to start for Washington ; and when it returned home 
 he thought it his duty to give up his place in the store 
 and remain in the army. He enlisted as a private, and 
 had been promoted for bravery and good conduct to 
 the first lieutenancy. He had made quite a confidant 
 of me, and often read to me scraps of news out of the 
 letters that he received from his mother, and the young 
 lady to whom he was engaged. He would sit for hours 
 15
 
 338 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 with me, smoking gravely, while he discussed his future 
 prospects, and the plans he had laid for himself, in case 
 he should survive the war. 
 
 " For, Wilmer," he would say, " I am determined to 
 see this thing out first, provided they leave me my limbs 
 to do it with." 
 
 When I inquired for him, the man before me dropped 
 his eyes on the ground, and shook his head. 
 
 " He fell outside our line, sir," he answered. " lie 
 was all right till we tried to take the second row of 
 rifle-pits. I didn't see him in the retreat ; the boys say 
 that he is lying just between our sentinels and the rebs. 
 Some of them tried to bring him off, but the fire was too 
 hot, and they had to leave him there." 
 
 " Then he was alive ? " I said. 
 
 " He was then, for he spoke to them. He told them 
 to take care of themselves and not mind him, that he 
 was not able to rise. They think his leg was broken. 
 I wish we could bring him in, sir." 
 
 "It will be a hard piece of work," said another. 
 " If the rebs see us, they'll fire on us, sure." 
 
 " Let us try," I said. " Does any one here know 
 where he lies ? " 
 
 " No, sir; but we can get one of the men that saw 
 him. Perhaps he can remember." 
 
 With cautious steps and bent forms we crept into 
 the ditch where our boys were lying, and found the one 
 we needed. Then we picked our way among the dead 
 bodies covering the ground around us, and at last
 
 BETWEEN THE EIFLE-PITS AT FBEDERICKSBUEG. 339 
 
 reached the open space beyond our line of pickets. 
 Our guide went slowly along, and we followed with 
 our lanterns, and a litter destined for our unfortunate 
 officer. It was a cold, windy night, and, happily for us, 
 became quite dark, as the clouds drifted between us 
 and the moon, and remained there until our work was 
 over. We came at last upon the object of our search. 
 He was insensible-from cold and loss of blood, and it 
 was some time before our efforts to revive him proved 
 successful. 
 
 Then we raised him on the litter, and began our re- 
 treat as rapidly as we could move. We were quite 
 near our own picket, and the men bearing the litter 
 were already inside the line, when one of the party, in 
 his haste, stumbled over a body lying on the ground, 
 and, springing up with a quick oath, hurried after the 
 others Avithout looking back. I was just behind him, 
 and a low moan from the form that he supposed dead 
 reached my ear. I flashed my lantern over it almost 
 mechanically, and saw that it was a soldier in the gray 
 uniform. He was lying with his face hidden on his 
 arm, and the life-blood was flowing from a small 
 wound in the side. His attitude denoted perfect con- 
 sciousness, as if he were sensible of his condition and 
 approaching death, and awaited it with calmness. 
 
 Even as I bent over him he sighed heavily, and a 
 choking sob that shook his whole frame met my ear. 
 
 " Can I help you ?" I asked, laying my hand on his 
 shoulder, the utter misery and loneliness of his position
 
 340 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 awakening all my sympathies. He raised his head with 
 an effort, and turned his eyes on me. Never shall I forget 
 the sickening sensation of horror that rushed over me as 
 I met that despairing look, nor the bright, happy expres- 
 sion that lit up the worn, sad face as he recognized me. 
 
 " Oh, Harry ! Harry ! " was all I could say, in my 
 shocked surprise. 
 
 " Jack," he muttered feebly, " this is a mercy that 
 I have prayed for, and my prayer is answered. Oh, 
 how I have longed for the sight of a living face, and 
 the sound of a friendly voice ! What weary hours I 
 have passed lying here, clinging to life with the hope 
 of seeing some one that would tell my poor wife of 
 my death ! " 
 
 " Do not talk of death," I said, as gayly as I could; 
 " let us see what our united skill can do for you." 
 
 " All the science and skill in the world would be 
 useless here, Jack," he whispered, his voice growing 
 fainter and fainter. " There is no way of stanching 
 the blood, and in this position it runs slower than in 
 any other. To move would be to hasten what is coming 
 so surely. No human power can aid me now." 
 
 He lay without speaking for some . minutes, and I 
 leaned over him, holding his hand and watching the 
 expressive, features that changed with the color of his 
 thoughts. 
 
 " My poor wife and children ! " he groaned at last, 
 gazing in my face as if wishing me to put into language 
 the ideas that he was unable to express.
 
 BETWEEN THE RIFLE-PITS AT FREDEKICKSBUBG. 341 
 
 " They shall not want for any thing while I live," I 
 said. " If Mr. Fullerton is unwilling to take charge of 
 them, they shall come to me. In either case, I shall 
 consider it a pleasure to protect them." 
 
 " They must not be dependent," he gasped ; " teach 
 them to work for themselves." 
 
 " I shall do exactly as you wish for them, if you will 
 consent to trust them to me." 
 
 " I do," he answered ; " I believe that you will do 
 right by them." 
 
 " Then you will try and not feel any more anxiety 
 for them," I said, looking into his face. 
 
 He understood me. 
 
 " Take my head on your arm, Jack," he whispered ; 
 " so ; that is more comfortable than the hard ground, 
 even if the change does cause pain. But there is no 
 victory without a h'ght ; no crown without its cross. 
 In these last few hours I have appreciated more than 
 in all the days of my life put together the beauty of our 
 faith, and the comfort that it contains. The last time I 
 attended church in Richmond, I heard the anthem sung, 
 * I know that my Redeemer liveth.' The words have 
 floated in my brain ever since I fell, and their meaning 
 has come home to me, I trust, not in vain." 
 
 He smiled faintly and closed his eyes, but a moment 
 after opened them and fixed them on my face. 
 
 " Jack," he gasped, " how nobly your brave fellows 
 fought to-day ! They threw themselves upon certain 
 death. If ever men deserved to win, they did. But
 
 342 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 they will not ; our position is impregnable. And yet, 
 how they struggle to maintain a principle, while we 
 risk all to defend our rights and homes ! " 
 
 " Is not the higher warfare," I said, " a struggle for 
 a principle against the whole world ? " 
 
 " Yes," he murmured, " the principle of truth." 
 He never spoke afterward. I laid his head against 
 my breast, and took his hand in mine. Lying thus, his 
 breath became fainter and fainter, until at length, with 
 one last, shivering gasp, all was over, and my poor 
 friend lay dead beside me. "We had been boys at 
 school together, chums at college, companions as men, 
 good friends always. As I bent over the dead face, I 
 realized that I had lost my oldest and dearest associate ; 
 the one that had understood me best and valued me the 
 most. I smoothed the tangled curls, still bright and 
 golden, over the sun-burned forehead, and covered with 
 a handkerchief the thin, sunken features, whose sad, 
 suffering expression was fast disappearing in the quiet 
 peacefulness of death. I remembered, with a bitter pain 
 at my heart, that I would never meet the glance of his 
 honest, loving eyes again, never hear the cheerful tones 
 of his kindly voice, never feel the warm grasp of his 
 strong, friendly hand. I regretted leaving him thus on 
 the frozen battle-ground, but on looking around me for 
 help, I saw only the picket walking back and forward 
 on his post. The men had all hastened away to the 
 regiment, and my poor friend, like many other brave 
 men on both sides, would probably fill " a nameless
 
 BETWEEN THE EIFLE-PITS AT FREDEEICKSBUEG. 343 
 
 grave." The thought, I knew, had never troubled him ; 
 he had fallen in the cause to which he had devoted 
 himself, and would be buried on the field for which he 
 had fought. Lest strange and careless hands should 
 place him in the ground, I took from his pockets the 
 few things they contained and fastened them securely 
 in my own. He had no watch with him, and very little 
 money ; but in one of the pockets of his old purse was 
 a small colored photograph of his wife and a braid of 
 her hair. Thinking that they might serve to identify 
 him at a future day, I placed them on his breast, 
 hoping that they would escape observation, and be 
 buried with him. 
 
 That done, I looked on his face for the last time, 
 and returned with a heavy heart to the city. There I 
 ascertained that my regiment had been relieved, and 
 was already in Fredericksburg. I found the boys, after 
 a long search, in the act of preparing supper. They had 
 stacked arms on the sidewalk, and were enjoying their 
 rest from duty a rest very acceptable after lying for 
 thirty hours among the dead and dying on the battle- 
 field. Later I sat by Lieutenant Williams, and wrote, 
 at his dictation, to his mother. He was doing well, and 
 was overjoyed at the thought that his leg would be 
 saved, the doctors having at first feared the necessity 
 of amputation. 
 
 The next day was occupied in removing our wounded 
 across the river, and the men stationed in the city enter- 
 tained themselves by going through the houses and en-
 
 344 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 joying in anticipation the pleasure of sleeping in them 
 that night. They were, however, disappointed in their 
 hopes, for at dark the evacuation was in progress, and 
 the next day the troops were back in their old quarters 
 at Falmouth. % 
 
 As soon as I could take the tune, I communicated 
 with Mrs. Weston, and proposed her removal to the 
 North. Her reply was long in reaching me. As I had 
 anticipated, she refused to leave her mother-in-law in 
 her desolate condition, but promised to consider my 
 plan for sending her children, in charge of their nurse, 
 through the lines. I had written the full particulars of 
 the case to my sister, and she was quite ready to help 
 me in carrying my ideas into practice. 
 
 The troops were in winter quarters, no important 
 movement was in contemplation, and the old routine of 
 hospital-work was again going on. The buildings as- 
 signed to the use of our wounded were all crowded, and, 
 as fast as it was possible to remove them, the men were 
 forwarded to the other cities. Mrs. Weston had re- 
 quested me, if convenient, to see her father, and hear 
 his opinion as to what she should do. I surmised, from 
 what she said, that she had written to the old gentle- 
 man herself, and that his answer had not been entirely 
 satisfactory to her. I concluded to accompany a de- 
 tachment of our wounded to New York, and see Mr. 
 Fullerton on the matter. It was now February. The 
 calm that follows the storm had settled down over us. 
 The soldiers in camp were mostly employed in arran-
 
 BETWEEN THE KEFLE-PITS AT FKEDERICKSBTTKG. 345 
 
 ging original amusements for themselves, and making 
 merry over the boxes of good things sent to them by 
 their families at home. The officers, as many as could, 
 had received furloughs, and gone to their own cities, 
 to be caressed, and listened to as heroes. The sick and 
 wounded were looking forward with eager joy to the 
 day on which they might start for home. "Washington 
 was dull to me ; the daily sight of so much misery and 
 death exerts a gloomy influence on those brought in 
 such close contact with them. 
 
 Lieutenant Williams had recovered sufficiently to go 
 to his mother's house, where, surrounded by every care 
 and loving attention, he was rapidly regaining strength 
 and spirits. It was, therefore, with- a feeling of real 
 pleasure that I started one morning, early in March, 
 with a party of convalescents, for New York, having in 
 my pocket a two weeks' furlough. Arrived there. I 
 gave up my charge at the rooms of the New Englafid 
 Society on Broadway, and sauntered up to the St. 
 Nicholas with slow steps, determined to enjoy every 
 moment of my freedom from duty. Once there, in a 
 cosy little room, with a hot dinner before me, I debated 
 with myself what I should do first, in order to have the 
 most time to spend at home. 
 
 It was necessary for me to see Mr. Fullcrton, and I 
 concluded to do so without delay ; so I took his address 
 from his daughter's letter, and left the hotel for his 
 place of business. I found him at his desk, writing so 
 
 busily, that he took no notice of me for some minutes, 
 15*
 
 346 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 and I stood aside to await his leisure, in the mean time 
 closely studying his appearance. I was in full uniform, 
 and it struck me afterward that he had in glancing at 
 me divined who I was, and my motive in seeking him ; 
 and that, while apparently studying the ledger before 
 him, he was in reality forming his replies to my re- 
 marks. 
 
 He was a short man, and remarkably well preserved 
 for his age, which must have been at least fifty-five. 
 He was well shaven, and his hair was arranged so as 
 to hide any sign of baldness. His clothes were of the 
 finest black, cut in the latest style, and fitting admira- 
 bly his neat, straight figure ; even his neck-tie was of 
 the most boyish pattern, and his whole appearance was 
 decidedly youthful. His face, however, when at last he 
 turned to me, was hard, cold, and impassive. There 
 was nothing young or impulsive in his small, glittering 
 bloc eyes, and thin, firm lips. I argued badly for Mrs. 
 Weston's case as I handed him my card. He read it 
 slowly, as far as I could see not recognizing the name. 
 
 " And to what am I indebted for the pleasure of this 
 visit ? " he asked, fixing his'eyes on my face, and moving 
 his lips slowly ; there was no other change of features. 
 
 I explained briefly my old friendship with his dead 
 son-in-law, and the necessity of removing his widow 
 and orphans from Richmond. 
 
 " I do not understand," he eaid, slowly, leaning an 
 elbow on the desk to steady himself, and regarding me 
 with a searching look from his high office stool.
 
 BETWEEN THE RIFLE-PITS AT FBEDEEICKSBUKG. 347 
 
 " You must be aware of the increasing poverty of the 
 Southern country, and of the complete helplessness of 
 your daughter. Her youngest child is but five months 
 old." 
 
 " Weston represented himself as being well off, when 
 he married my daughter Edith." 
 
 " And he was so at that time ; but you must recol- 
 lect what has happened since then. He was not the 
 only one that this war beggared. He, with others, 
 staked all he owned on this contest " 
 
 " The more fool he ! Why the deuce didn't he sell 
 out and come North, as others did ? " 
 
 " You forget that, with his convictions, such a pro- 
 ceeding would have been most dishonorable. We do 
 not respect those who live among us and yet sneer at us 
 at the same time." 
 
 " I know nothing about that ; a man should look out 
 for his own. Honor is thought very little of, if there is 
 no money to back it. He brought this trouble on his 
 wife himself." 
 
 Mr. Fullerton was as cool as ice. I felt myself grow- 
 ing warm. 
 
 " If you please," I said, " we will leave Mr. Weston 
 out of the question. The present position of his wife is 
 what we have to talk about." 
 
 " What has become of Weston' s relatives ? He men- 
 tioned having a great number." 
 
 "They are all in the same trouble with regard to 
 means. What they have is invested in Confederate
 
 348 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 bonds. A man can do much, even if involved, for his 
 family; a woman, left as Mrs. Weston is, has no re- 
 sources." 
 
 "She had a fine education, and was considered tal- 
 ented," he went on. 
 
 " Yes, but at present her knowledge is unavailable as 
 a means of support. Her health is not very good ; she 
 could hardly undertake much work. She will not leave 
 her husband's mother, but she can be relieved of the care 
 and anxiety of her children. Her pride is such that, 
 unless entirely unassisted by you, she will not accept 
 any aid from me." 
 
 Mr. Fullerton thought for a few moments, and then 
 commenced again. 
 
 " Doctor Wilmer, the facts of the case are these ; I 
 have lost heavily in this trouble, and do not feel myself 
 able to undertake, at my age, the whole expense of so 
 many persons. It is a duty or rather a kindness which 
 I never anticipated being called upon to perform. My 
 daughter kept house for me for some years, and when she 
 married to please herself I was obliged to fill her place. 
 In fact, I married again, and the present Mrs. Fullerton 
 is, if any thing, younger than my daughter. Of course, 
 she is mistress of my house, and such an addition to our 
 family as you propose could hardly be acceptable to her, 
 neither would a secondary position in my household be 
 suitable for Mrs. Weston, my daughter. You see that 
 such an arrangement is entirely out of the question." 
 
 " And Mrs. Weston's brothers ? " I said.
 
 BETWEEN THE EIFLE-PITS AT FEEDEKICKSBUKG. 349 
 
 " They are both married, and would hardly be able 
 to undertake such a responsibility." 
 
 "Very well," I answered. "I wished to settle the 
 matter at once. I thank you for your explanation." 
 
 I wished him good-by, and he accompanied me to 
 the door most politely, regretting, as he did so, his 
 inability to comply with his daughter's request. His 
 perfect coolness and urbanity were striking. "If at 
 any future time I can do any thing to further her chil- 
 dren's interests, why, call on me," he remarked, as I 
 quitted him. I bowed deeply in return for this con- 
 descension, and took my way to the hotel, pondering on 
 my last lesson in human nature. 
 
 " So," 'I said to myself, " that is Mrs. Weston's 
 father. How very unlike a parent and child may be ! 
 No wonder she was so much attached to my generous- 
 hearted, impulsive friend." 
 
 On reaching my room, I found a letter there that 
 had been forwarded to me from "Washington. It was 
 from Richmond, and contained news. Mrs. Weston, 
 unable any longer to meet all the demands made upon 
 her purse and strength, had consented to accept my 
 proffered services. Her children, with their faithful old 
 nurse, would leave Richmond on the first opportunity, 
 and she begged of me to meet them on their arrival 
 within our lines. She herself had concluded to retain 
 two rooms in her house, and rent the others to tran- 
 sient lodgers, intending to maintain the old lady on the 
 money she would receive from them.
 
 350 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 I replied at once, telling her that I should leave di- 
 rectly for Fortress Monroe, and giving her, in as few 
 words as possible, the result of my interview with her 
 father. That done, I concluded that I could not go 
 home ; so I telegraphed to my sister to join me in New 
 York, and then set about making the necessary prepara- 
 tions for the comfort of poor Harry's orphans. 
 
 The following day I met my sister at the railroad 
 depot, and we started a few hours afterward for Annap- 
 olis. On our arrival at Fortress Monroe, I commenced 
 my search for Mrs. Weston's children, as a number of 
 refugees had entered our lines during my passage from 
 New York. I could hear nothing of them, however, 
 and so we remained there ready to receive them. I felt, 
 as the days slipped by, that my chances for reaching 
 home during that leave of absence were becoming less 
 and less possible, and I was right in my calculation. It 
 wanted two days of the expiration of my furlough, 
 when we heard that a number of women and children 
 were on their way to Fortress Monroe from Richmond. 
 My sister and I were at the landing when the boat con 
 taining them arrived, and ;we scanned with eagerness 
 the little groups collected on the deck. One at last 
 fixed our attention. A short, stout colored woman, in 
 a faded cotton gown, with a woollen shawl pinned close 
 about her neck, and an old bandanna twisted around her 
 head, stood holding on one arm a baby wrapped up in 
 a large cloak, and on the other a little girl of three years 
 whose hands were clasping her neck. Beside her, grasp-
 
 BETWEEN THE ErFLE-PITS AT FEEDEEICKSBUEG. 351 
 
 ing her gown was a little boy dressed in gray home- 
 spun. 
 
 " John," said ray sister, catching sight of them, and 
 turning to me with tearful eyes " John, I think they 
 are Mrs. Weston's children. See how their nurse, looks 
 from them to the shore, as 'if searching for some one 
 that she knows." 
 
 _ " I am almost sure of them," I said. " We will go 
 to them at once." 
 
 Making our way with difficulty, we succeeded in 
 reaching the little group. As we approached them, 
 Master Harry recognized me, and bounding forward he 
 caught my hand, his face, which was his father's in min- 
 iature, lighting up with pleasure. 
 
 " Mamma told me to do exactly as you wished," he 
 exclaimed, " and, oh, how glad I am to see you ! " he add- 
 ed, with a long sigh, which, under other circumstances, 
 would have provoked a smile at its precociousness. 
 
 The nurse's face beamed with joy, and she expressed 
 her delight in language almost unintelligible to my sis- 
 ter. The latter had taken little Edith in her arms, and, 
 holding Master Harry's haijfl, I led the way off the 
 boat. My time was nearly up, and so, after a very 
 short rest, we started for Annapolis, at which place we 
 would separate, I going on to Washington, and my sis- 
 ter taking the little ones and their nurse to New York, 
 and from thence home. 
 
 On the steamer, nurse Flo, as the children called 
 her, gave me the messages intrusted to her by her mis-
 
 352 DR. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 tress. From them I. inferred that Mrs. Western's own 
 health was causing her much anxiety, and that the old 
 lady was sinking rapidly. In her own odd language, 
 Florida told me, the terrible effect that her master's 
 death had had upon his wife. She had received intelli- 
 gence of it the day after it occurred, and the shock had 
 nearly killed her. His mother, owing most probably to 
 her weak condition, had taken the news very quietly 
 and as if prepared for it. That her young mistress had 
 never looked the same since, but went about like a 
 shadow, speaking little, and crying when alone as if her 
 heart would break, did not surprise me. I could under- 
 stand her grief, and appreciate its real sincerity and 
 depth. 
 
 Florida's fidelity was a touching tribute fo the kind- 
 ness of her owner, and a proof of her own honesty 
 and single-mindeclness. She was sitting in the cabin of 
 the steamer, playing with the baby, and I was deter- 
 mined, before leaving them, to find out her ideas of her 
 own position, and whether I might trust to her remain- 
 ing with the children. I told her that she was .free to 
 go where she pleased, that there was no longer any one 
 to control her actions. She said that she knew all that ; 
 her mistress had explained it to her, and told -her that 
 others would pay her well for her work, whereas she 
 could afford to give her very little. 
 
 "Well," I asked. "Have you made up your 
 mind?" 
 
 Her answer was, " That money was no good to her ;
 
 BETWEEN THE EIFLE-PITS AT FREDERICKSBUBG. 353 
 
 what she wanted was to have food and clothes, and a 
 place to live in. Besides, she had been born and brought 
 up in the "Weston family; they had taken care of her, 
 and had been kind t*> her always, and if Mrs. Weston 
 would let her, she would stay with her and her children 
 as long as she lived." 
 
 As she spoke, her tears fell on the little waxen hands 
 of baby Jack, that were grasping hers in play, and I felt 
 that I could depend upon her faithfulness. 
 
 At Annapolis my sister bought her some bright, new 
 bandannas, and pair of wondrous gold ear-rings, remark- 
 able for their size, which threw her into ecstasies of de- 
 light ; and having supplied the children with toys to 
 enliven and shorten their tedious journey, I saw them 
 off in high spirits, and in happy ignorance of their own 
 sorrowful position. 
 
 Later, I received letters, telling me of their safe 
 arrival in my mother's house, and of the warm welcome 
 they received from young Mrs. Lecount, and Mr. and 
 Mrs. Masters ; together with ^, long description of the 
 friendship already existing between Arthur and Harry, 
 and of the merry games they played, into which even 
 little Edith entered with joy, and at which Master Jack 
 clapped his tiny hands with delight. 
 
 " Once more," my sister wrote, " the house is bright 
 with the presence of little children, and merry with their 
 childish laughter. Mother is growing active and ener- 
 getic again, and looks better than she did since you went 
 away. The ' pets,' as we call them, are always together,
 
 354 DR. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 either here or at Mr. Masters', and Florida with her 
 fidelity, her bandanna, and her ear-rings, is the -wonder 
 of the village, and the ' observed of all observers.' " 
 
 I forwarded my sister's letter- to Mrs. Weston, and 
 received a reply from her, in which she expressed her 
 entire satisfaction with what had been done, and also 
 mentioned her own improvement in health since being 
 relieved of so much anxiety. 
 
 Toward the end of April she sent me information of 
 her mother-in-law's death, and her own intention to 
 proceed at once to the North, leaving her house at the 
 disposal of some of her husband's relatives, who had 
 offered to do the best they could with it for her benefit. 
 A week after, I met her at Fortress Monroe, where she 
 had arrived a day or two previously, and was waiting 
 for the departure of a steamer for New York. "We had 
 a long interview, and I listened to the plans that she had 
 formed in her mind with surprise. She intended to see 
 her father at once, .and ask him to assist her in establishing 
 a school in New York. She was so hopeful and cheerful ; 
 so earnest in her desires to do all for her children alone ; 
 so determined to be independent, and so anxious to com- 
 mence her new life without delay ! Yet she looked deli- 
 cate, and perfectly helpless ; she had become thin and pale, 
 and the expression of her eyes had changed ; there was a 
 timid mournfulness in them now, that they would retain 
 always. She had the appearance of one who needed care 
 and protection, rather than of a person ready to go forth 
 and battle with the world and its disappointments.
 
 BETWEEN THE RIFLE-PITS AT FREDEEICESBURG. 355 
 
 I noticed how tender she was of her husband's 
 memory ; how carefully she refrained from saying the 
 least thing that could reflect blame upon him, or impute 
 to his actions the causes of the troubles that had fallen 
 upon her. She seemed sanguine of obtaining her father's 
 aid in spite of all that had passed, and I did not like to 
 chill her hopes with my convictions to the contrary. 
 
 I placed her on board the steamer, in charge of an 
 officer with whom I was acquainted, who was' going 
 home with his wife, and then returned to Washington, 
 where I awaited intelligence of her safe arrival in New 
 York, and the result of her meeting with her father. 
 
 As I had anticipated, the interview was not satis- 
 factory ; and my sister having joined her there, she has- 
 tened at once to see her children, from whom she had 
 been so long separated. Shortly after the affair at 
 Chancellorsville, I heard that she had been offered the 
 teachership of the public school in our village, and had 
 accepted it with pleasure. In addition, she had obtained 
 a number of music-pupils, who came to the house for 
 their lessons, and was improving daily in spirits.
 
 CHAPTER XY. 
 
 IN THE FIELD-HOSPITAL AT GETTYSBURG. 
 
 "WHAT! Doctor Wilmer, is it you? How glad I 
 am to meet you ! " 
 
 It was early on the morning of the second day at 
 Gettysburg. I was standing giving directions to some 
 of the men, who were making accommodations for the 
 wounded, when this salutation was uttered beside me. 
 Turning quickly, I saw a fine-looking young fellow in a 
 colonel's uniform, mounted on a powerful horse, bend- 
 ing toward me with outstretched hand. I did not rec- 
 ognize him at first, owing to the heavy black beard 
 and mustache covering the lower part of his face, and 
 the cap pressed down upon his forehead, to protect his 
 eyes from the burning rays of the sun. The next mo- 
 ment I remembered him the young fellow who, two 
 years before, when a mere boy, had taken his company 
 to Washington. 
 
 " Victor, is it possible ? " I exclaimed, in my sur- 
 prise. " How much you have changed ! " 
 
 " Yes, I suppose I have ; but you look the same as
 
 IN THE FIELD-HOSPITAL AT GETTYSBURG. 357 
 
 ever. When did you hear from home ? I have been 
 moving from place to place so much, that my letters 
 have all missed me for the last three weeks." 
 
 " They were all well five days ago," I said. " How 
 proud they must feel when they think of you ! War 
 agrees with you." 
 
 " Yes, I like it better than poring over musty old law- 
 books in a dusty office. If I live to see this thing out, 
 I shall try and obtain a position in the regular army. 
 The life suits me." 
 
 " It is certainly more exciting than a quiet profes- 
 sion, and repays those who are daring, and fond of the 
 glory attached to it ; still, your promotion has been 
 unusually rapid." 
 
 " Yes," he replied. " Our regiment has been all 
 along doing good service, and our poor fellows were 
 picked off before their straps were tarnished. I suppose 
 it will be the same way with me." 
 
 " Have you escaped so far ? " 
 
 " Yes, pretty well ; I got a slight scratch at Antie- 
 tam on my arm, but it was not enough to pension me 
 for. I used to lie in the hospital there at Washington, 
 and long for the sight of a home face." 
 
 " And your sister, Miss Pauline ; was she not there ? " 
 
 " No, not at that time ; she"was at Fortress Monroe, 
 I believe she is there now. I have scarcely seen her 
 since Claude's death ; she took it terribly to heart. Do 
 you know, Wilmer, I never could understand how all 
 his misfortunes came about. He was always so steady
 
 358 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 at home father had the highest hopes of him ; but he 
 told me one time, in speaking of Claude, that, once in 
 New York, he seemed to lose his reason. Such a nice 
 little wife as he had too ; no one could have been more 
 agreeable than she was to us all. She writes to me fre- 
 quently such kind letters ! Poor fellow, he might have 
 done as I did, and fared far better. If killed, his death 
 would at least have been honorable." He sighed heav- 
 ily, and trifled with the hilt of his sword. 
 
 "Our boys suffered terribly yesterday," I said, to 
 change the current of his thoughts. 
 
 "Yes," he replied. "The gray jackets made sad 
 havoc in the First corps ; but then it had no business 
 to commence the attack with such a small number of 
 men. We are going to have it, hot and heavy, again 
 to-day. We must work hard if we would save the 
 capital. Our men are pretty well exhausted now, and 
 the whole of Lee's army is on the field. I must go, for 
 I tell you the sight of the wounded don't tend to raise 
 a fellow's spirits. Well if you shouldn't see me to- 
 morrow, just tell my family that I tried to do my duty. 
 Good-by." He bent and shook my hand, .then taking 
 off his hat, he exclaimed : " The Union forever ! Hurrah, 
 boys, hurrah ! " and the next moment was galloping 
 off in the direction of a column of our troops forming 
 the reserve. 
 
 The day wore on. Our boys, as fast as they arrived, 
 were put into position, and the struggle was relaxed 
 only to be renewed with fresh vigor and enthusiasm.
 
 IN THE FIELD-HOSPITAL AT GETTYSBUEG. 359 
 
 As regiment after regiment fell back to the reai', their 
 places were instantly occupied, and all that long, hot 
 July day the hand-to-hand fight continued. Foot by 
 foot the ground was contested, and lost or won. 
 Dense clouds of smoke 'rose over the fearful struggle, 
 and floated away, only to be succeeded by others still 
 heavier. The shrieks of the wounded were mingled 
 with the roar of artillery, the whizzing of the dreaded 
 shells, and the continuous rattle of musketry. The air 
 was heavy with the smell of gunpowder, the smoke, and 
 the dust ; and still the work went on, as if each individ- 
 ual felt in his own heart the weight of the responsibility 
 resting on the whole army. 
 
 About four o'clock in the afternoon, a regiment that 
 had been relieved, and ordered to the rear, came strag- 
 ling toward us; and the men having stacked arms, 
 and unfastened their belts, quickly lit their pipes, and 
 throwing themselves on the ground in attitudes deno- 
 ting extreme fatigue, they gave vent to the feelings so 
 long repressed, and discussed in noisy tones the prog- 
 ress of the fight. 
 
 Their tattered colors, shattered ranks, and torn 
 clothes, gave evidence of the fierce struggle going on 
 in the front, and I listened with interest to their vari- 
 ous opinions. One of them approached me, supported 
 by two of his companions, and, looking for the cause of 
 his ghastly face and tottering steps, I saw that three 
 of the fingers of his right hand were hanging, almost 
 severed at the knuckles ; the sickening sensation caused
 
 360 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 by the sight of them affecting him more than the pain. 
 While I dressed his wound I asked him the number 
 of his regiment. 
 
 " The F th New York," he answered. 
 
 " Why, that is Colonel Lecount's regiment ! " I ex- 
 claimed. " Is he safe ? " 
 
 " That is more than I can tell, sir," he answered. 
 " He didn't lead us off the field." 
 
 "I saw him go down myself," his companion re- 
 marked. " His horse fell at the same time." 
 
 " Then you don't know whether he was carried off 
 or not ? " I said. 
 
 "I think not, sir; the rebs were driving us at the 
 time, and we did not recover the ground " 
 
 " Yes, but the boys that relieved us did. I could 
 see that before we left," remarked another of the men 
 who had joined the group. " We were dreadfully cut 
 up," he continued, in a tone of apology. " There's not 
 two hundred of us left." 
 
 " We ought to go and find the colonel," said a 
 powerful-looking man, rising from the ground where he 
 had been stretched, listening to us, and commencing his 
 preparations by slowly knocking the ashes out of his 
 pipe, and replacing it in the band of his cap. Then 
 clasping his belt, he looked about him, in anticipation 
 of an assent to his proposition. 
 
 "I shall be Avith you in one moment," I said. A 
 dozen voices immediately responded; and, guided by a 
 captain of the regiment, we took our way toward the
 
 IN THE FIELD-HOSPITAL AT GETTYSBUBG. 361 
 
 point where it had been stationed that morning. Our 
 principal landmark was a group of rocks, in the shadow 
 of which the men remembered having last seen their 
 colonel. On that spot the fight was obstinate, hand to 
 hand, and as the line wavered and broke, young Le- 
 count had dashed between the opposing ranks, calling 
 on his soldiers to rally around him. At that instant he 
 was seen to fall, and in the momentary consternation 
 which the loss of a trusted leader casts over a regiment, 
 the rebels made a desperate charge, and the whole line 
 was pressed back. At this juncture reinforcements 
 arrived, and the exhausted men were ordered to the 
 rear. 
 
 The captain gave me the particulars as we crossed 
 the battle-field, where soldiers and horses lay dying and 
 dead, in undisputed possession of the hotly-contested 
 ground. My companion pointed in delight to the proofs 
 of our victory ; and we gazed with pleasure on the dis- 
 tant clouds of smoke, and listened to the thunders of 
 the artillery, conscious that our brave boys were push- 
 ing back the heavy columns that had threatened to 
 overwhelm us. 
 
 Arriving near the rocks, we found that the battle 
 was still raging a little beyond them, between the left 
 wing of our army and the right of the enemy. Stray 
 bullets whistled over our heads, and the ground was 
 torn up by balls from the rebel batteries posted on the 
 rising ground, and commanding the open space over 
 which we had to pass. The men hesitatcd*but only for 
 16
 
 362 DK. WLLMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 a moment, and then clashing forward, we reached a 
 place of comparative safety in the shadow of the rocks. 
 
 The ground around us was covered with dead bodies. 
 Friend and foe had fought with broken muskets and 
 bayonets, and lay as they had fallen, locked in each 
 other's arms. The clinched hands had not relaxed 
 their hold ; the stern faces yet wore -a terrible expres- 
 sion of pain, mingled with fierce hate. Glaring eyeballs, 
 started from their sockets, and covered with the glassy 
 film of death, met us on every side. Even in death, the 
 forms possessed an air of fixed determination, a steady, 
 resolute look, as if they had made up their minds to 
 conquer or die, then and there. I was not surprised, 
 when I afterward learned that the two opposing regi- 
 ments had met before, and had paid a heavy debt of 
 vengeance at Gettysburg. 
 
 With many misgivings, we bent our steps to where 
 the carcass of a large horse was lying, and, looking 
 down, recognized the form crushed beneath it. The 
 men carefully removed the heavy weight, and we found, 
 to our joyful surprise, that the colonel was still living. 
 He was lying on his side, his bridle-arm broken by a 
 Minie ball, and several of his ribs fractured ; the latter 
 injury, however, was caused by his horse falling on him, 
 a fact which happily preserved him from the bayonet- 
 thrusts of the enemy. 
 
 " I thought you would never come," he said, very 
 feebly, opening his eyes at the same time and looking in 
 my face. " t did not speak before, not being sure of
 
 IN THE FIELD-HOSPITAL AT GETTYSBUBG. 363 
 
 who was assisting me. Sabre-cuts are not very agree- 
 able, and if it had been a party of rebels I should have 
 played I was dead, and let them pick my pockets of 
 every thing. Your voice was a great relief when I 
 heard it. I recognized it at once." 
 
 " Do you think you can walk a little ? " I asked him. 
 
 We raised him, but he was too weak. So, having 
 placed him on the litter, we prepared to return. 
 
 " My poor Stonewall ! " he said, looking at his horse. 
 " That cannon-ball killed him instantly. I was struck 
 a few moments before, but I felt almost sure of taking 
 him out of this alive. What a place for a man to die 
 in ! " He glanced about him with a visible shudder, at 
 which I did not wonder. The scene before me ex- 
 ceeded in horror any thing of the kind that I had ever 
 witnessed. 
 
 " How long will my arm be in a sling ? " he asked, 
 as we commenced our retreat. I was walking beside 
 his litter, steadying it where the ground was rough, and 
 I turned to look at him, in admiration of his coolness. 
 
 " Better ask, how long before your side will be all 
 right. I think worse of that than of your arm." 
 
 " Oh, you are a regular Job's comforter, doctor ; 
 come, give me an opinion." 
 
 " Well, six weeks, if the bone is not splintered." 
 
 He gave a long whistle. 
 
 " Why, the army may be in Richmond by that 
 time ! " 
 
 " I sincerely hope that it will be ; then you can go
 
 364: DE. WELMER'S LOVE. 
 
 home on a long furlough, and play hero to your heart's 
 content." 
 
 We had reached the middle of the field, and he was 
 saying something about his mother, when a loud report 
 struck on our ears. Something whizzed over our heads 
 and sank into the ground before us. The men recoiled, 
 I heard an explosion, the ground trembled under our 
 feet, things flew past my eyes, I felt a shock, and a 
 burning sensation in my breast ; I was falling, it seemed 
 to me, in space, the ground receding as I neared it. 
 
 When I recovered consciousness I was lying down, 
 and some one was bending over me. I opened my eyes, 
 and saw Doctor Berry. 
 
 " Wilmer," he was saying,. " are you conscious ? do 
 yoxi understand me ? " 
 
 The words had a confused sound. I felt myself try- 
 ing to catch their meaning. He began again, this time 
 with more effect. 
 
 "Wilmer, listen! try to keep your mind on what I 
 am saying ; it will become clear to you after a while." 
 
 " Yes," I moaned ; " what is it ?" 
 
 " Your foot is hurt badly. These fellows here want 
 to take it off. They are strangers to me, surgeons from 
 Boston. You must rally your strength and refuse to 
 allow it. I have seen you save many a foot as much in- 
 jured as yours is now, but they doubt the fact. I must 
 go in search of the proper splints, and I am afraid to 
 trust you alone with them. Can you comprehend what 
 I say ? Can you collect your thoughts ? "
 
 IN THE FIELD-HOSPITAL AT GETTTSBUEG. 365 
 
 " Something presses on my chest," I said ; " what is 
 it?" 
 
 " You are hurt there, but not materially. Only find 
 strength to look at these men, and words to speak to 
 them. Moments are precious now ; think what it would 
 be to go through life lame ! " 
 
 " "Would it matter much ? " I said, only half conscious 
 of what, he was saying. 
 
 He sighed heavily. 
 
 " Go and get the splints," I managed to say. " I 
 will try and remember what you told me." 
 
 I heard him leave me, after having placed my foot 
 in a position that satisfied him, and then a numbness 
 seemed to spread itself over me. I felt immovable, 
 inanimate, without the power of exerting thought or 
 action in the least degree. From this state of half sleep- 
 ing, half waking, I was roused by a sensation of acute 
 agony, which thrilled through all my nerves and had the 
 effect of restoring me to my full senses. I raised myself 
 with much difficulty, and discovered the cause of my 
 intense suffering. Two gentlemen, whose caps denoted 
 that they belonged to some medical staff, were probing 
 my foot, to their own great satisfaction and my extreme 
 horror. Instantly, all Doctor Berry's injunctions re- 
 curred to me, and I realized their importance. To lose 
 my foot, and be lame for life, or else to avail myself of an 
 artificial one, seemed about to become a problem for me 
 to solve. My obliging friends, having completed their 
 examination, were spreading their instruments over the
 
 366 DE. WILHER'S LOVE. 
 
 bed, and I lay quiet, watching them and wondering 
 what would be their next move. 
 
 The idea of any person undertaking to relieve me of 
 my foot, without first consulting me and obtaining my 
 consent, seemed utterly preposterous ; and, besides, I 
 had not as yet made up my mind that such a proceed- 
 ing was really necessary. I thought that, at least, I 
 should like to look at it myself beforehand and give the 
 subject proper consideration. Lameness might be quite 
 admirable and hero-like in a soldier, but being merely an 
 army surgeon, I did not think it would add much either 
 to my fame or usefulness. I lay, therefore, in speechless 
 amazement, watching with half-closed eyes the motions 
 of the two medical gentlemen, and listening to their 
 low-toned conversation. 
 
 I verified the old adage, " Listeners never hear any 
 good of themselves." Still I felt that I had a right to 
 be present at my own trial, and hear the verdict. I 
 will do them the justice of saying that they sincerely 
 believed in the wisdom of their own conclusion, and 
 wished to do the best they knew how for me. Had I 
 been their oldest friend, instead of a mere stranger, 
 their decision would have been the same. 
 
 " Shall I apply the chloroform as he is, or shall we 
 first explain the necessity of the case to him ? " asked 
 one of the other. 
 
 " If he were a private soldier," was the reply, " we 
 should, of course, proceed to amputate the limb without 
 consulting him. It appears that he is a surgeon him-
 
 IN THE FIELD-HOSPITAL AT GETTYSBURG. 367 
 
 self, and, therefore, it will be only proper t*> tell him 
 what we are about to do." 
 
 " I am quite aware of your intentions," I said, look- 
 ing at them in turn. " Thank you for your good wishes, 
 but I shall allow Doctor Berry, who is my friend, to 
 take charge of the affair." 
 
 " You do not know what you are saying," the elder 
 of the two answered, turning to me. He was a much 
 older man than I, a fact that I had noticed before ad- 
 dressing him. " Permit me to say," he continued, " that 
 I rank you in age, and probably in experience, and that 
 any man who tells you that he can save your foot is 
 not your friend." 
 
 " I would still prefer to hear my friend's opinion," 
 I said. 
 
 " That is all very well, but you forget the time of 
 year it is. If it were winter, we might risk the conse- 
 quences ; but, considering that this is July, and the 
 weather extremely hot, such a delay will be highly 
 dangerous. Mortification may set in before morning, 
 and then nothing can be done. The only safety lies in 
 immediate amputation." 
 
 " The patient looks feyerish already," remarked the 
 younger of the two. 
 
 " No wonder," I replied ; " your conversation does 
 not tend to soothe my nerves." 
 
 "Still, we could not commence the operation. with- 
 out your consent," the elder one said, apologetically. 
 
 " Very well," I replied ; " then it is all settled. I
 
 368 ' DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 shall not submit to any thing of the kind at present ; 
 and, if it should become necessary, my assistant here, 
 Doctor Berry, will be quite competent to undertake it." 
 
 " He is rather young for the responsibility, I think," 
 the old gentleman said. 
 
 " Excuse me for differing with you, but Doctor Berry 
 has assisted me in the care of the regiment for nearly 
 two years, and I have never heard the least charge 
 made against him as regards incapacity for the position 
 he holds." 
 
 I was growing tired of the whole affair, and wishing 
 heartily that the gentlemen would leave me to suffer in 
 silence, when Doctor Bei'ry himself made his appearance 
 at the opening of the tent, and my tormentors passed 
 on, hoping that I would not regret my obstinacy. 
 
 " I believe they have driven you into a fever," my 
 friend said, coming to me with the splints that he 
 needed in his hand, and looking anxiously into my face. 
 
 " No, I am quite cool and ready for you." 
 
 "Very well, then," he answered gayly. "If I hurt 
 you much, just cry out ; it will be a great relief to you." 
 
 While he made all the arrangements, and tenderly 
 dressed my foot, causing me the least pain possible, I 
 took a view of my position, and found myself wonder- 
 ing how long I should remain in it. I was lying on a 
 small mattrees, placed on the ground in one of the hos- 
 pital-tents, and on each side of me other wounded men 
 were extended in the same manner. No better accom- 
 modation was possible, so we talked as merrily as we
 
 IN THE FIELTHHOSPrrAL AT GETTYSBURG. 369 
 
 could under the circumstances, and made the most of 
 our curious quarters. Colonel Lecount was in an ad- 
 joining tent, doing nicely ; he had escaped all injury 
 from the bursting shell ; and so, being relieved from all 
 anxiety, and having sent a few lines to my sister, tell- 
 ing her of my mishap, I sank into an uneasy sleep, which 
 lasted during the night. 
 
 In the morning, while attending to me, Doctor Berry 
 made me laugh heartily at his description of the gentle- 
 men who had given me so much trouble the day before. 
 
 " They are both from Boston," he said. u I found 
 out all about them last night. Williams swears that, if 
 they ever come near here again, he will give the men 
 leave to fire on them. He says that, if they had been 
 allowed their way, there wouldn't have been a whole 
 man left in the division hospital. One of them is a regu- 
 lar Doctor Sawbones, one of your real old fogies ; thinks 
 that the knife is the only instrument worth having in 
 surgery. They say he is famous at cutting off limbs 
 does it with so much neatness and dispatch. He has 
 quite a reputation at home, and came up here, as a 
 great favor, to offer his valuable assistance. He be- 
 came quite angry in the next tent ; the surgeon there 
 fired up and told him ' that he did not want his inter- 
 ference, and that we were all quite aware of the fac^ 
 that it is much easier for us to take a limb off than to 
 save it with care and attention.' " 
 
 " It must have been Allen who told him that it is 
 so like him. What became of them ? " 
 16*
 
 370 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 " Oh,. they left at last in disgust. I heard that the 
 young colonel, the one you went after, drew his sword on 
 them. Nothing would do them but to take off his arm." 
 
 "That is just what Victor would do," I said, laugh- 
 ing at the ludicrousness of the scene, as I imagined it. 
 
 "It is sufficient to stop all enlistments," went on 
 Doctor Berry. " A man may be willing to fight, and 
 take the chances, but if he thinks that, the moment he is 
 wounded, he is at the mercy of any ignoramus that may 
 come along, with a saw in one hand and a tourniquet in 
 the other, he is not likely to risk them. A wound re- 
 ceived on the field, coming as it does at a moment of 
 excitement, is easily borne ; but to be chopped up lei- 
 surely in a hospital is another consideration, especially 
 when a man feels that with a little extra trouble on the 
 part of the surgeon the necessity might be obviated." 
 
 " It is a pity," I said, " that we are not better sup- 
 plied with conscientious surgeons. Some of them have 
 undoubtedly mistaken their vocation." 
 
 " Yes, particularly that old gentleman that was here 
 yesterday. He should have been bred a butcher," 
 said Doctor Berry, as he left me on his way to another 
 patient. 
 
 For many weeks I remained in the field-hospital at 
 Gettysburg. It was a dreary time to me, monotonous, 
 and void of interest. The army had gone forward, and 
 with it all the regimental surgeons that could be spared ; 
 among the rest, Doctor Berry. Many of the sick and 
 wounded had been removed to Washington, Philadel-
 
 IN THE FIELD-HOSPITAL AT GETTYSBURG. 371 
 
 pliia, and New York. Those that remained were suf- 
 fering from wounds received below, or in the hip-joint, 
 and were not yet equal to the fatigue that a removal 
 would cause. We were quite shut in from the outside 
 world ; the only news that reached us came through 
 the daily and weekly, papers sent to the patients by 
 their friends, and the reports which they contained rela- 
 tive to the army were not very satisfactory nor cor- 
 rect. Home letters were the greatest luxuries that 
 could be received, and we longed for them as a child 
 would long for a new toy, when they were detained by 
 the irregularity of the mails. 
 
 To me, so accustomed to an active life in the fresh, 
 open air, the confinement was irksome in the ex- 
 treme. Minutes seemed like hours, hours like days. 
 Then, too, my recovery progressed but slowly. My 
 foot was very painful and tedious, and my chest troubled 
 me greatly, a result that Doctor Berry had anticipated 
 from the first. Owing to the low position of our beds, 
 and the amount of rain that had fallen, making the 
 ground damp and the air moist, a fever, accompanied 
 with cMils, was beginning to spread among the men with 
 fatal effect. 
 
 Several near me, who had lost their limbs, and 
 seemed to be recovering rapidly, were carried away bjt 
 it, and I noticed that, in nearly every case where it 
 supervened on amputation, it resulted in death. One 
 example, in particular, made a deep impression on me. 
 A young man, a fine, honest-looking soldier, had lost
 
 372 DB. WILMEK'S. LOVE. 
 
 his right leg below the knee, and had submitted cheer- 
 fully to the operation, which proved successful. He 
 bore his pain without a murmur, and I therefore was 
 surprised one day, on waking from a light sleep, to see 
 him crying silently, his face turned to me. and resting 
 on his arm. I spoke to him, and he told me what caused 
 his tears. A young lady, who was spending some weeks 
 at Gettysburg, visiting the hospitals and attending on "** 
 the wounded during the day, had just left his side. She 
 had been sitting near him for an hour, fanning him, 
 tempting his appetite with little luxuries, and brushing 
 the flies from his aching wound. Her kindness, and the 
 sight of a noble, good woman, thus ministering to him, 
 had brought tears of joy to his eyes this powerful- 
 looking soldier, who had gazed on the miseries of battle- 
 fields for two years, unsoftened, and had met the sur- 
 geon's knife with composure. 
 
 After that I watched him, and became interested in 
 him. He had lost his knapsack on the field, and the 
 only thing that he possessed was a little picture of one 
 of his cousins, which he had put for safety in his pocket 
 before going into the fight. The young lady whvisited 
 him supplied him with paper and a pencil, and several 
 times I saw him writing to this cousin, who lived in a 
 distant city. As his pain ceased, his spirits rose; 
 he even joked on his own misfortune, and I often fell 
 asleep while listening to him whistling popular airs, 
 which he did most beautifully. 
 
 He was looking forward with hope to his return
 
 IN THE FIELD-HOSPITAL AT GETTYSBCKG. 373 
 
 home, when the fever attacked him. lie fought it 
 bravely, but alas ! it conquered him. Not many 
 hours before his end, came letters from his family, bright 
 and joyful in their tone, calculated to sustain his droop- 
 ing spirits. The fever was on him at the time when his 
 nurse read them to him the kind words fell unheeded 
 on his ears. He was " going home ! " 
 
 " Tell them all that I died happy," he whispered to 
 the chaplain, who bent over him in his dying moments. 
 He did not speak again. A few hours after, he was 
 buried in a little grove, not far from the town, and, his 
 empty bed having been removed, all traces of him dis- 
 appeared. 
 
 My sister had come to me immediately after hearing 
 of my wound, and had remained with me for a week. 
 Then my mother was attacked with a sudden and 
 serious illness, and my sister had returned home to care 
 for her. However, I did not lacfk attention. Nothing 
 could exceed the kindness with w^ich we were treated 
 by the ladies attached to the corps of nurses, and others, 
 who came to Gettysburg in order to be near their 
 wounJd relatives. 
 
 When at last I was removed with many of my com- 
 rades, to Washington, I foresaw but a short stay there, 
 having determined, once my foot would permit me, to 
 0ake my way home, if need be, on two crutches. I was 
 little prepared for what then happened. The morning 
 after my arrival in the city I awoke in a violent fever, 
 and then I remembered, with dismay, the slight touches
 
 374 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 of it that I had felt while lying in the field-hospital at 
 Gettysburg. 
 
 It was something that I had not made any prepara- 
 tion for meeting. I had trusted to my constitution, 
 which was naturally good, to carry me safely over the 
 effects of the wounds that I had received, and the possi- 
 bility of contracting the fever in its worst form never 
 occurred to me. With my burning head resting on my 
 arm, I took a quiet survey of the room in which I had 
 been placed, at dark, the night before. It was a long, 
 narrow apartment a regular hospital scene. The rows 
 of neat little beds, standing near the walls, seemed to be 
 all occupied. In the space between them nurses were 
 coming and going with their noiseless tread, and doctors 
 were bending attentively over their suffering charges. I 
 looked through the open windows at the blue sky, and 
 thought to myself " If the fever does, attack me, this 
 will be a better place to fight it than in the field-hospi-^ 
 tal that I have just quitted."
 
 CHAPTER XVI. 
 
 HOW THE LIXKS WEBE JOINED. 
 
 AFTER arriving at that conclusion, I sank back on 
 my pillow;, and tried to turn my thoughts on other sub- 
 jects. To ray great horror, I found it impossible to fol- 
 low out a connected train of ideas. A vague conscious- 
 ness, that I feared to acknowledge to myself, became a 
 sure conviction. I felt that my mind was commencing 
 to wander, and in the effort that I made to overcome the 
 weakness, and control my reasoning powers, I added to 
 my own sufferings. For several days, I was aware of 
 what took place around me, in spite of the high fever 
 raging in my brain. I knew the doctor, and the nurse 
 that attended me, and realized my own danger. After 
 that I became delirious, and lay. battling for life with 
 the remnant of my bodily strength, which decreased 
 hourly. During that fearful time I changed into a mere 
 shadow of my former self. Dead to the present, the fu- 
 ture a great void before me, nothing remained for me 
 but the past, and that took entire possession of me. The 
 scenes connected with it were forever passing before my
 
 376 DK. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 eyes ; the figures changing, and forming into new pic- 
 tures, like the glasses in a kaleidoscope. In my disor- 
 dered imagination I lived my life over again, and in my 
 vivid fancy felt anew its former joys and sorrows. 
 
 With the touch of a soft hand still lingering on mine, 
 with the low tones of a loved voice still sounding in my 
 ears, I passed art length from the realms of sweet memo- 
 ries and wild dreams to the world of reality about me. 
 I opened my eyes, and gazed around with a vague idea 
 that I was sensible, and then closed them suddenly, with 
 a sensation of horror spreading itself over me. Too 
 weak to tremble, I lay unable to utter a cry, seeing 
 through shut lids the vision that had paralyzed me. I 
 tried to believe that my eyes had deceived me, and, sum- 
 moning all my feeble resolution, I looked again. The 
 thing was indeed there, a fearful reality, and not the 
 creation of a disordered brain. There it stood, a dark 
 screen surrounding three sides of my narrow couch, and 
 shutting me off from the other occupants of the room, 
 lest they should witness my dying struggles. " Then I 
 am to die," I thought, " and this is probably my inter- 
 val of consciousness before the end." 
 
 I lay gazing x>n the hospital-sign of death expected, 
 and listened attentively for the rustle of a dress or the 
 sound of a voice. The silence was terrible, worse than 
 the roar and confusion of battle. It crushed me with, 
 its chilling weight. I wondered what caused it, I puz- 
 zled my mind for a reason. By degrees, I was impressed 
 by the curious light in which the unpleasant abject of
 
 HOW THE LIKKS WEEE JOINED. 377 
 
 my thoughts was presented to me, and, turning my eyes 
 upward, I suddenly found an explanation for all that had 
 troubled me. The shadow of a hand, holding a book, 
 rested on the ceiling over my head, in immense propor- 
 tions, and moved, now and then, as the light which 
 threw it flickered in the wind. I tried to look beyond, 
 hoping to catch a glimpse of the sky and the stars, 
 through the open window, by which the sweet night air 
 entered the room, but in vain. The screen shut out from 
 me all but the strip of white ceiling which the shadow, 
 darkened. Feebly and very slowly my weakened brain 
 and dulled perceptive faculties took in and realized the 
 position of affairs, and the probable scene beyond the 
 limits of my view. 
 
 It was night, and the patients slept; quiet and rest 
 were necessary to their recovery, those powerful medi- 
 cines that Nature provides the quiet of night, the rest 
 of sleep. The stillness was accounted for. Here and 
 there, no doubt, the watchers were at their posts, but 
 why did one remain so close to me, sharpening the senses 
 to wakefulness- by reading ? The answer to my ques- 
 tion, supplied by my own heart, thrilled through my 
 nerves. I was dying, and I had been delirious when last 
 visited by a physician. It was possible that I might be 
 given a fehort interval of consciousness, during which I 
 might take leave of earthly things, and prepare for the 
 unseen eternity. 
 
 Out of kindness, some one was watching near me, 
 attentive to catch the least sound or movement from
 
 378 DR. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 within the screen. "Alas!" I thought, "had that 
 been only my mother, or my sister, how anxiously 
 would she have hung over my pillow, and, watching 
 every feature, known by inspiration the instant when 
 sensibility returned ! " In my desire to send a last mes- 
 sage to the dear ones so far away, I attempted to call ; 
 but, although I exerted all my strength, no sound issued 
 from my lips. Within reach of human aid, I was 
 powerless to attain it. A dreadful sense of increasing 
 weakness overpowered me ; I felt an irresistible desire 
 to scream, and yet was perfectly aware of my inability 
 to make myself heard. The fear of death was stronger 
 than the hope of life ; and still I had a conviction that 
 if the screen were removed, the thought of speedy dis- 
 solution would depart at the same time, and hope 
 resume its power. Even while these strangely-mingled 
 fancies chased each other through my brain, I was 
 studying the shadow over my head, and wondering who 
 the owner of the real hand might be. It certainly be- 
 longed to a woman ; there was a delicacy in the out- 
 lines, and a peculiar -gracefulness about the cuff rising 
 from the wrist, that remained visible in spite of the 
 increased size. As I looked, the hand assumed still 
 larger proportions, and seemed to press closer to me, 
 and at length rest upon me. 
 
 I sank into a doze. How long it continued I never 
 knew. The sound of voices, conversing in hushed tones 
 beside me, is the first sensation of which I have any 
 recollection.
 
 HOW THE LINKS WERE JOINED. 379 
 
 "Have you no hope whatever?" a female voice 
 asked, and I wondered at the earnest agitation which 
 its owner evinced. 
 
 "Xone whatever," was the answer, in a man's 
 quiet, sententious style. 
 
 "And yet he has lingered, for hours. Yesterday 
 morning you gave him but six more to live. See how 
 cool he looks ! I thought it was a good sign. He sleeps 
 quietly too, and has, ever since the gas was lit. May it 
 not be the crisis of the fever?" 
 
 I could imagine the doctor shaking his head gravely, 
 as he replied 
 
 " I should be glad indeed to think so ; but this, I fear, 
 is the weakness that precedes death. I have seen it in* 
 so many cases, and we hospital doctors are not so easily 
 deceived in the phases of a disease as those who are less 
 expei'ienced. Certainly if care could save, Doctor Wilmer 
 ought to live, for you have done all in the power of hu- 
 man skill for him. You have been a most devoted nurse, 
 and the country ought to feel deeply grateful to you, 
 and other ladies, equally self-sacrificing and patriotic." 
 
 "And can I do no more?" came the whispered 
 entreaty. 
 
 "If he wakens again you may give him some nour- 
 ishing food, a little at a time. That is all that I can 
 say to encourage you. To hold out hopes that appear- 
 ances do not justify is something that I cannot bring 
 myself to do. Many physicians think it allowable, I 
 disagree with them entirely."
 
 380 DE. WILMEE'S LOTE. 
 
 Having given his opinion, the doctor went away 
 with soft steps to look at the other patients, and for a 
 moment there was complete silence. Then a smothered 
 sob broke the heavy stillness, and a sad voice mur- 
 mured, " If he ever wakens again ! " I felt tears falling 
 on my hand, and, opening my eyes in surprise, met 
 those of Miss Pauline Lecount fixed on my face. For 
 an instant she gazed at me like one in a dream ; then, 
 instinctively realizing that I was conscious, she sank on 
 her knees, and, pressing my hand convulsively in her 
 own, said, in a choking voice : 
 
 "You shall not die without forgiving me! Stay" 
 she exclaimed, as I made a faint effort to speak. 
 " Listen to me. Do not answer me till you have heard 
 all; let me justify her who cannot plead for herself. 
 She was innocent I alone caused all this misery. I 
 alone injured you, and destroyed your whole life. If 
 only you could realize the misery that I have endured 
 these many years ! You have suffered too, but you had 
 wronged no one ; yours was not the wretchedness that 
 springs from a guilty conscience, struck with remorse, 
 yet lacking the courage to confess its sin. But, alas ! I 
 am only trying to excuse myself, to palliate my own 
 crime. When you know what I did in a moment of 
 temptation ; when you realize how I wronged you ; 
 then think of where we are at this moment, and as you 
 are a Christian, and hope for mercy, try to forgive me." 
 
 She ceased for a moment, to recover her composure ; 
 and then, as if doubting her own strength to fulfil her
 
 HOW THE I<INKS WERE JOINED. 381 
 
 resolution, she poured forth her story in a voice ren- 
 dered low and distinct, with a great effort. I listened 
 to her in a state of amazement, half questioning the evi- 
 dence of my senses, trying to grasp the meaning of her 
 words, and connecting feebly in my mind the chain for 
 which she was supplying the links. 
 
 " The first evening that I met you," she said, " I 
 read your secret, and I will confess that I wondered at 
 it. Your love for Miss Ferris I never could understand. 
 She was such a child in manner and knowledge, and so 
 greatly your inferior. Your motives for concealing 
 your feelings excited my curiosity for a long time, but 
 when I afterward learned them, I could appreciate the 
 power which they exerted over you. For months I 
 watched Belle, and tried to sound her affection for you. 
 But she baffled me ; she either loved you passionately, 
 and concealed her true feelings under a mask of indiffer- 
 ence, or else she admired you as a friend, and did not 
 care who knew it. I never could surprise her confi- 
 dence in regard to you, and for that reason I concluded 
 that something more than friendship governed her 
 heart. Of course the secret of her position, which you 
 were all guarding so carefully, would have given me 
 the key to the whole affair. It would have explained 
 the curious confidence existing between you two, and 
 her tacit compliance with every thing you proposed, 
 the very thing that excited my greatest uneasiness. 
 However, I was a most unscrupulous antagonist, even 
 at that time. Your silence I attributed to diffidence,
 
 382 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 and I took advantage of that, by representing it to her 
 as indifference. Claude loved her ; he was my favorite 
 brother, and I would have attempted any thing for his 
 sake. I inferred that she was rich from many circum- 
 stances, and I realized with bitterness in my heart that 
 we were poor. What might not riches do for Claude ? 
 and, besides, he was disinterested in his love for Belle. 
 Want of means was his only drawback ; otherwise, they 
 seemed well suited to each other. When you returned 
 to Buffalo the first time, you left the field entirely open 
 to me. I saw that, unconsciously,, you had hurt Belle 
 deeply; you had chilled her by your coldness, and 
 thrown her heart from you. What you lost, I gained. 
 She became quieter, less impulsive, more womanly, and 
 shrank from mentioning your name. She felt that she 
 had been too quick to give her affections where they 
 were not sought for, and determined to drive away and 
 overcome all thoughts of you. Without having the 
 least clew to your motives, I saw the advantages to be 
 derived from your conduct, and I hastened to make the 
 most of them. I awakened her pride by hinting at your 
 cool indifference, and then left the rest to Claude. 
 
 " His attentions flattered her vanity and soothed her 
 wounded feelings. She was no coquette, and therefore 
 tried honestly to return his love. Besides, Mr. Masters 
 approved of the affair, and she liked to please him in 
 every thing. Your continued absence and silence car- 
 ried out what I had insinuated about you ; and when 
 we went to New York, every thing was progressing to
 
 IIOW THE LINKS WEEE JOINED. 383 
 
 my perfect satisfaction. All fears on your account 
 were at rest in my heart. Belle seldom spoke of you, 
 and even when she heard that you were coming to her 
 party, I looked in vain for any trace of emotion in her 
 appearance. Her dress for the evening seemed to mo- 
 nopolize all her attention. 
 
 " The night came ; you can judge of my surprise, 
 when, on the entrance of Mrs. Parker, I saw her leave 
 Claude's side and fly to you for protection. I felt that, 
 once in your presence, all your power over her re- 
 turned ; and the fabric I had taken such pains to build 
 seemed about to dissolve in my very grasp. Mr. Mas- 
 ters' explanation also was calculated to recall memories 
 too strong for me to battle with ; and I realized that a 
 meeting between you two without witnesses was all 
 that was necessary to undo my whole work. A word 
 from you would have revealed to her the passion lying 
 dormant in her own heart, and the least sign of emotion 
 on her side would have swept away your barrier of 
 pride, and shown her the depth of your love. 
 
 "To prevent such an interview, I exerted every 
 stratagem of which I was capable, and you know how 
 well I succeeded. I had to enlist Claude on my bide, 
 and for that reason I imparted to him my suspicions .of 
 her real affection for you alas ! to my own future sor- 
 row. He was jealous enough of you before I unfortu- 
 nately aroused in him a corresponding feeling toward 
 his wife ; I sowed the seed of their future misery. 
 
 " Day after day I watched and waited for some move-
 
 384 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 ment on your part. I saw your efforts to meet Belle 
 alone, and defeated them all. I noticed too how almost 
 unconsciously her heart and thoughts turned to you, in 
 spite of the check she had received from you. It would 
 seem as if intuitively she knew the secret that governed 
 you, and awaited patiently your time for revealing it. 
 
 "I see that you are astonished at my hardihood in 
 confessing all this. You cannot be more so than I am 
 myself. I can hardly realize that the hour, so ardently 
 longed for, has come at last, and that here, on my knees, 
 I am trying to repair the evil that I did, and obtain for- 
 giveness for my sin. Pity me now this is the worst 
 part of all. 
 
 " One evening, after vainly attempting to talk to Belle 
 undisturbed, you left us, and went into the library. I saw 
 you writing, through the half-closed door, and guessed 
 what it was that you were doing. That night, while 
 you and Mr. Masters stood talking in the parlor, I re- 
 turned to the library for the book that I had been read- 
 ing before dinner. I had intended finishing it there, not 
 feeling sleepy ; but some of your conversation reached 
 me, and I gathered from it that you were speaking of 
 Claude. I did not care to listen, so I determined to 
 carry my book to my own room. You will sneer at my 
 scruples about eaves-dropping, when you hear what I 
 afterward did. As I passed the table, Belle's volume 
 of poetry attracted me, and knowing that she was not 
 tired, I thought I would carry it up with me. As I lift- 
 ed it very carelessly, something dropped from it. You
 
 HOW THE LINKS WKKE JOINED. 385 
 
 guess what that was, and what I did with it. Do not 
 look so sorry for me ; think of the wrong I did to you. I 
 looked at the address on the letter, and then at the seal. 
 I had no pity for you, no compassion for your ruined 
 hopes, your desolate, altered life. I only thought of 
 Claude, my brother that I loved so fondly, his youth, his 
 talents, and his love. 
 
 " I determined that Belle should never see the letter. 
 Could I have foreseen what was to become of it, I should 
 have hastened to put it in her hands. Looking back on 
 that night, I think with wonder of my own coolness ; 
 but it was the foretaste of success that gave me courage 
 to carry out my design. I returned up-stairs. I sat 
 and read for hours with the fatal letter in my pocket, 
 and discussed with Belle our plans for the succeeding 
 day. After she slept, I went into the adjoining room, 
 took your message from my dress, opened and read it 
 with a sensation of gratified curiosity at having at last 
 reached the cause of your long silence. As I perused it, 
 I understood it perfectly, and all that had seemed strange 
 in your conduct became clear before me. I appreci- 
 ated the combined delicacy and pride that had controlled 
 you, and I realized what an eifect your explanation 
 would have on Belle. The mere thought of her sus- 
 pecting such feelings in you made me shiver, and for a 
 moment I felt a strong desire to light the paper at the 
 gas, and let it burn to ashes on the hearth. Something, 
 however, prompted me to preserve it, .and I placed it in 
 a secret drawer of my writing-desk. The next day you 
 17
 
 386 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 started on your return to Buffalo, where you awaited 
 some sign from Belle. I.recollect distinctly the expres- 
 sion of your face when you took leave of us that morn- 
 ing, and the sad, hopeless one that dawned in hers when 
 again you left her, apparently cool, and without regret. 
 " Day after day passed, and we spent our time in a 
 round of amusements. Belle was at first quiet and reti- 
 cent, no doubt surprised at your conduct, and seeking in 
 vain an explanation of it in her own mind. Then, as no 
 letter came from you, her suspicion of your indifference 
 to her became a settled, firm conviction, and with all 
 the strength and energy of her character she battled 
 with her own heart, and conquered. The struggle, how- 
 ever, took away the remains of her childishness, and 
 left her what she has been ever since, a self-possessed, 
 thoughtful woman. All impulsiveness and passion 
 were gone, and it would seem as if they had never had 
 any part in her being. She grew cheerful again and 
 light-hearted, accepted Claude's attentions with pleasure, 
 and, putting the whole past away from her, thought only 
 of making those around her happy. 
 
 " As the months went by, she talked of you openly 
 and unrestrainedly, as of a dear and valued friend ; and 
 at the same time grew more and more attached to 
 Claude. When she accepted him, she did it voluntarily 
 and with her whole heart. She respected and loved 
 him, and he occupied all her thoughts. She was devoted 
 to him and his interests, and showed it in looks arid 
 speech. None but a madman or a fool would have
 
 HOW THE LINKS WEEE JOINED. 387 
 
 doubted her truth. Claude once or twice complained of 
 her want of passion ; but, had he been wise, he would 
 have thought more highly of her deep respect for him, 
 her steady love, and her faith in his goodness. 
 
 "A short time before they were married, he was talk- 
 ing about her to me, and he made the remark, that ' after 
 all, you had never cared for her.' I was foolish enough 
 to mention the proof of your love that was in my pos- 
 session, and he demanded it, insisting on his right to see 
 it. I allowed him to persuade me, and I gave it to him. 
 He promised faithfully to destroy it, and assured me 
 shortly afterward that he had burnt it. Feeling that 
 all trace of my deception was destroyed, I ceased to 
 think of the matter, and lived in a state of perfect 
 security. You went to Europe as soon as Belle's en- 
 gagement was announced, and I guessed your motive in 
 going, and saw you -leave the country without a feeling 
 of pity for you, or remorse for what I had done. The 
 end seemed to justify the means, and the perfect happi- 
 ness that Claude and Belle enjoyed entirely removed any 
 misgivings that I might have otherwise experienced. 
 
 " They were married, and for six months their life 
 was a dream of pleasure; they were like the lovers in a 
 fairy tale happy in each other, and causing brightness 
 wherever they went. Then came the sudden shock that 
 brought confusion and misery into the house, and caused 
 all our future wretchedness. 
 
 " We had an invitation to a large party. How well I 
 remember the day ! it was in November, and the weather
 
 388 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 was remarkably mild and pleasant for that season of the 
 year. We were sitting at the dinner-table, and Belle 
 was about going up to dress for the evening, when one 
 of the servants came in with a request. She wished to 
 go out with a friend, and she wanted some money to buy 
 a dress. You can see now what a trifling circumstance 
 brought on our troubles. 
 
 "Belle gave her permission to go, and turning to 
 Claude asked him if he had ten dollars in his pocket, as 
 her purse was up-stairs ; and then she added, laughingly, 
 that she did not think there was so much in it. 
 
 " Claude replied gayly: 'Your flowers for to-night 
 took every cent I had, but you will find a quantity of 
 notes in the little drawer of my desk. Shall I bring 
 you some ? ' He would have gone for them ; but she 
 laid her hand on his head and detained him. 
 
 " * I am just going up, so you need not stir,' she said, 
 * but I thank you for remembering my favorite flowers.' 
 She bent over him, her eyes shining softly, kissed him 
 lovingly, and then left the room. 
 
 " It was the last voluntary caress she ever gave him. 
 We heard her light step on the stairs, and after a few 
 minutes' conversation, Claude lit his cigar, and I went 
 to my room to dress for the party. When I was nearly 
 ready, I took my flowers in my hand and ran down to 
 her with them. She could arrange them in my hair 
 more gracefully than I could myself, and always did it 
 for me. 
 
 "I pushed open the door of her dressing-room, and
 
 HOW THE LINKS WERE JOINED. 389 
 
 went in. The fire wa*s burning brightly, but the light 
 was turned low, and I was surprised at the silence, and 
 the absence of all disorder among her things on the toi- 
 let-table. At first I thought that she had dressed and 
 gone down-stairs ; but while I stood thinking, I heard 
 something like a moan in her bedroom, and, attracted by 
 the sound, I went in hastily, fearing I knew not what. 
 
 " She was lying on the floor, her head resting on her 
 arms, and her face entirely hidden from me ; but her 
 whole frame was convulsed with the agony that she was 
 trying in vain to suppress. In the utter extremity of 
 her grief she had thrown herself thus on the ground, for- 
 getful of every thing but the remorse that had taken pos- 
 session of her. I tried to raise her, too much surprised 
 to speak, and her blanched face frightened me ; but what 
 were my horror and shame, my bitter despair, when an 
 open paper dropped from her hand, and I recognized 
 your letter ! The whole mystery flashed upon me in a 
 second, and I began to tremble for the result of my cruel 
 treachery. 
 
 " While I was yet bending over her, trying to soothe 
 her, and promising to explain every thing, Claude saun- 
 tered into the room, and, supposing that Belle had been 
 attacked with a sudden illness, he hastened to assist 
 her, his face anxious and sad. Its expression changed 
 as iris eyes fell on the fatal letter, and Belle noticed the 
 alteration in him. She caught it up eagerly, and then, 
 rising without aid, demanded to know what it all meant, 
 and how it came into her husband's possession.
 
 390 DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 " Her voice shook -with emotion, and she gasped fpr 
 breath as she spoke ; still she listened patiently Avhile I 
 confessed every thing, and tried to take the' whole blame 
 on myself. She looked from one to the other of us until 
 I had finished, and then suddenly catching Claude's 
 hand, she asked 
 
 " ' Did you know of this and read it before you mar- 
 ried me ? ' 
 
 " His answer in the affirmative seemed to crush her 
 with sorrow. 
 
 " ' All false ! ' she murmured. ' You that I respected 
 and loved ! You that I trusted entirely ! ' 
 
 "Her husband's want of honor and the wrong done to 
 you were the two powerful griefs working in her heart. 
 She had invested Claude with the finest qualities of 
 humanity ; she believed him to be up to the highest 
 standard of moral integrity ; and, w r hen she found her 
 image broken, she gave full vent to her despair. With 
 a bitter cry she hid her face in her hands, and, shak- 
 ing into a chair, she recalled the many kindnesses that 
 you had shown her, and wept for your disappoint- 
 ment. I understood her grief, and the mingled emo- 
 tions that caused it. I saw that she never thought of 
 herself, that her whole heart was absorbed in the con- 
 viction of her husband's unworthiness, and the sad 
 knowledge that her respect for him was gone forever* 
 
 " It seemed to me that Claude should have under- 
 stood her also, and tried in every way to obtain her 
 forgiveness and soothe her wounded feelings ; particu-
 
 nOW THE LINKS WEEK JOUSTED. 391 
 
 larly as I Lad bee^jjie most to blame, an excuse lie 
 might have urged in his own defence. Had he done so, 
 the mischief* might have ended there. Alas ! he mis- 
 construed the cause of her tears, and became angry with 
 her. The seed of jealousy that I had planted in his 
 heart sprang into life and bore bitter fruit. 
 
 " He worked himself into a furious passion, and ac- 
 cused her of having loved you first and best. Incapable 
 of comprehending the refined sensitiveness of her nature, 
 and blind to the claims that you really had on her grati- 
 tude and affection, he . taunted her in a way that no 
 woman of spirit could resist answering. In his insen- 
 sate folly he taxed her with lack of candor in not having 
 confessed to him her former passion for you. The idea 
 of expecting a young, innocent girl to acknowledge the 
 existence of a feeling to which she had never given ex- 
 pression by word or look, and shrank from admitting 
 even to herself, was so utterly absurd and insulting, that 
 I did not wonder at Belle's reply. 
 
 "She sprang from her seat and faced him. Her 
 tears stopped, and her cheeks flamed with indignation. 
 
 " ' You wrong me cruelly, Claude,' she exclaimed. 
 ' You have no right to taunt me thus. You know I 
 loved you, and you only, when I married you. I had 
 nothing to tell you, nothing to confess. The wild fan- 
 cies and romantic dreams of an impulsive, imaginative 
 child- would have sounded more than silly if put into 
 language, and could have only excited your ridi- 
 cule.'
 
 392 DE. WILHER'S LOVE. 
 
 " Her answer, instead of appfM^ng him, only added 
 to the jealousy that was mastering him. 
 
 " ' Then you acknowledge,' he exclaimed, in a threat- 
 ening tone, ' that you did indulge in wild fancies and 
 romantic dreams about this Doctor Wilmer?' 
 
 " ' I cannot deny it,' she said, quietly. ' I suppose 
 it was the natural consequence* of my ignorance and 
 loneliness. Unless you could have seen me as he found 
 me, you could not appreciate his claims on my gratitude 
 and affection, nor the deep admiration for him that took 
 possession of me. My own folly I conquered long ago, 
 but I cannot overcome the sorrow that this letter of 
 his causes me, and I feel it all the more because I may 
 not explain to him my coldness and silence. I dare not 
 justify myself in his eyes, nor ask his pardon for the 
 blow I have dealt him.' 
 
 " She was looking at the letter with tearful eyes as 
 she spoke, and, before I could prevent the act, Claude 
 seized it from her rudely, tore it in pieces, and then 
 threw it on the blazing coals. She watched it burning, 
 mute with surprise and dismay, and then covered her 
 face with her hands. 
 
 " ' You could not trust me even in that,' she said, in 
 a stifled tone. 
 
 " ' No ! ' Claude said, angrily. * And in future, you 
 must leave my papers alone. I would not have sus- 
 pected you, who are so conscientious, of ransacking my 
 desk.' 
 
 " ' I opened the wrong drawer by mistake, and the
 
 HOW THE LINKS WERE JOmED. 393 
 
 letter was lying before my eyes ; I supposed it to be 
 one of mine, and I wondered how it could have strayed 
 among your -things. After giving the girl her money, 
 I unfolded it mechanically, and read it, too much sur- 
 prised to speak. Its discovery was wholly accidental ; 
 I never suspected the existence of such a paper.' 
 
 " As Belle answered this last accusation, I trembled 
 at the sound of her voice. It was clear and steady. 
 Self-possession had returned to her. I felt that Claude 
 was risking his whole future happiness in his foolish 
 anger, and I left them, feeling intensely miserable, and 
 dimly foreseeing the coming misfortune. 
 
 " The breach between them widened daily. I looked 
 in vain for something capable of drawing their hearts 
 together again. Claude was indignant, and took no 
 trouble to hide the fact. His pride was offended, and 
 he expected his wife to be the first to ask forgiveness. 
 Belle seemed weighed down with the bitterness of her 
 grief, and asked in vain for comfort or sympathy from 
 her husband. He either could not or would not under- 
 stand her mind, and her respect for him was diminish- 
 ing under the heavy blow it had received. 
 
 "Their visible coolness toward each other excited 
 much comment, and Mrs. Masters invented every imagi- 
 nable excuse for it, the real one being entirely unsuspect- 
 ed by any one. We three holders of the secret guarded 
 it faithfully. When Arthur was born, there was a change 
 for the better that gladdened all our hearts. Claude 
 softened toward his wife, and Belle seemed willing to 
 17*
 
 394: DE. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 forget every thing unpleasant that had passed and let 
 the old love resume its sway. Unhappily, Claude's 
 jealousy was not overcome ; it still burned in his heart, 
 and manifested itself on the most trivial occasions. 
 It seemed to increase just in proportion as his true 
 affection died out. I acknowledge that he was fickle ; 
 the love that I thought enduring was only a passion, 
 destined to give place to others in their turn. The 
 mere sight .of your mother or sister would excite his 
 anger, and the mention of your name drove him furious. 
 Belle's love was insufficient to resist so many attacks 
 upon it. She never offended him in word or deed, and 
 avoided every thing that could arouse his jealousy ; 
 still I saw with despair that he was slowly but surely 
 wearing out her affection. 
 
 " His passion for speculation gave her much uneasi- 
 ness, and the low company that it led him into offended 
 her refined taste and shocked her principles. Such a 
 means for making money was, in her opinion, only 
 licensed robbery, and she regarded his participation in 
 it with perfect horror. 
 
 " His want of trust in her wounded her to the heart ; 
 he would not allow her for years to revisit her old 
 home. You remember his anger the night that he 
 opened the gate and found you talking with her. In 
 his passion he forgot that you were unaware of what 
 he knew so well, and insulted Belle with bitter taunts 
 that must have sounded strange to you. He took her 
 back to New York as soon as it was possible, and then,
 
 HOW THE LINKS WEBE JOINED. 395 
 
 with the greatest inconsistency, neglected her for other 
 women. 
 
 " The night that he was killed, your presence in the 
 hotel seemed to me something almost prophetic. Had 
 your heart been filled with a desire for revenge, nothing 
 was wanting to satisfy it. He was lying a shattered 
 corpse, and I was reaping the punishment I deserved, to 
 its most bitter extent. When I realized that no such 
 feeling brought you there at that time, that your com- 
 ing was entirely accidental, then indeed it seemed as if 
 Providence was at work, and that my sin had found me 
 out. If only you might live now, live to repair the 
 evil I did, and enjoy the happiness so long denied you ! 
 At least tell me that you forgive me. Have mercy on 
 me ! Forget that I had none for you." 
 
 Her voice died away in a low sob as she ceased, and 
 she covered her face with her hands, while a convulsive 
 trembling took possession of her whole form. 
 
 "As I hope for mercy," I said, " I do forgive you." 
 
 The words reached her ears in spite of the faint tone 
 in which I uttered them, but she made no reply. I 
 was shocked at the weakness of my own voice. I closed 
 my eyes, and remained silent, dazzled by the flood of 
 light that she had let in on my bewildered mind. A 
 little while passed; then she rose quietly and went 
 away. A few moments afterward she was bending 
 over me, feeding me with the soup that she had gone 
 to procure. Her manner had regained its usual dig- 
 nified coolness, and her voice its old steadiness. No
 
 396 DE. WILHER'S LOVE. 
 
 one would have recognized in her the passionate, im- 
 pulsive woman who had knelt at my couch a short time 
 before, asking for pardon in tones that trembler! with 
 sorrow and remorse. 
 
 I could have imagined the whole story a wild dream, 
 but for the soft, happy expression that dawned in. her 
 eyes when they met mine, as if trying to imbue me 
 with some of the hope and peace that were filling her 
 own heart. I lay for hours in a delirium of joy that 
 thrilled through my whole being, incapable of speaking, 
 of thinking. Then I fell into a sound, refreshing sleep, 
 out of which I awakened to find the screen removed, 
 and Miss Pauline seated near me, fanning away the 
 flies. 
 
 " The doctor says that you are out of danger," she 
 whispered, bending over me with tearful eyes.
 
 CHAPTER XVII. 
 
 THE QUESTION ANSWERED. 
 
 THIS joyful assurance answered the convictions of 
 my own heart, and had a magical effect on my spiiits. 
 I began to improve with an energy that quite aston- 
 ished the kind physician who had attended me so faith- 
 fully, and Miss Pauline communicated the news to my 
 anxious mother and sister. She had written to them^of 
 my condition all along, until the day when the doctor 
 had pronounced my case hopeless. Then her courage 
 forsook her, and, happily for us all, she had found her- 
 self unequal to the task of sending them the sad intel- 
 ligence. Perhaps the strong hope in my ultimate re- 
 covery, which had never failed her, partly controlled 
 her silence. At any rate, they had remained ignorant 
 of my extreme danger, and I was pleased to have it so. 
 My mother was still so weak that she could ill have 
 spared my sister's care, and her presence in the hospital 
 could have done me no good, although it would have 
 been a great comfort to me during my convalescence. 
 
 Those long August days passed slowly but not un-
 
 398 DE. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 pleasantly to me. One was but the repetition of 
 another the only difference that marked them being 
 the gradual increase of strength which came to me so 
 gently, yet so surely. My mind regained its tone and 
 elasticity, while my body was still feeble ; and as I re- 
 clined on my couch, or dragged my tottering limbs 
 from one corner of the long room to another, my 
 thoughts dwelt on the future, and revelled in dreams of 
 happiness far wilder than any that I had ever before 
 indulged in. Miss Pauline Lecount's revelation had, at 
 first, utterly confounded me ; it was so strange and un- 
 expected, so entirely at variance with all my former 
 reasoning on the subject. Fully convinced, in my own 
 mind, of Mrs. Lecount's indifference to me, I had spent 
 years endeavoring to nourish a corresponding feeling 
 for her in my heart. The labor bad cost me dear, the 
 struggle had been long and bitter. Still I had con- 
 quered. I prided myself on the success of my efforts. 
 Now I found myself surrounded by the ruins of my 
 work that I had thought so strong ; my barriers of 
 pride and coolness undermined, overthrown, and swept 
 away, by a few words in a woman's soft voice ; and a 
 torrent of passionate love and hope mastering me as 
 of old. 
 
 As I reflected calmly on all that had passed, I saw 
 how I had cast away the heart that I might have won ; 
 and, when I realized'all that had since taken place, my 
 hopes gave way to anxious fears. What if I had lost 
 forever the power of inspiring the love which I coveted
 
 THE QUESTION ANSWERED. 399 
 
 so much ? It was possible. In spite, however, of these 
 gloomy doubts, which would at times intrude them- 
 selves upon me, I was very happy, and every thing about 
 me was a subject of interest and pleasure. I longed for 
 the day to come on which I should be able to start for 
 home, and yet I clung to the narrow hospital-room 
 whicli had been the scene of such intense misery, such 
 intoxicating joy. I should carry away with me, and 
 retain always, the memories connected with it and its 
 inmates. I should see again the rows of little beds with 
 their white coverlids ; the quiet figures stretched upon 
 them, some sleeping, others reading; a few amusing 
 themselves with musical instruments and curious puzzles, 
 while here and there two earnest thinkers, with bent 
 brows, supported on thin hands that told of fever, stud- 
 ied the pieces on a chess-board, and made the moves with 
 cautious gravity. I would look in fancy through the open 
 windows at the blue sky, the green trees, the busy crowd 
 coming and going in the street below, and enjoy again 
 the exquisite coloring that foretold the dawn, and the 
 glorious beauty of the clouds at sunset. How far love- 
 lier they appeared now to the longing eyes of the sick 
 men than they had ever done in the days of health, 
 when the mind was too much occupied with the things 
 of earth to concern itself with the wonders of the 
 heavens ! 
 
 In those weeks of convalescence I saw but little of 
 Miss Pauline Lecount ; she was occupied with those who 
 were still in danger ; and we, who were no longer sub-
 
 4:00 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 jects of anxiety, were left to entertain each other. On 
 the day of my departure she came to me where I was 
 standing in the hall of the building, muffled up in 
 shawls, leaning on my stick, and waiting for the driver 
 to put my trunk on the carriage. She had previously 
 packed my things, arranged some little comforts for 
 me to use on the journey home, and taken leave of 
 me. I was therefore surprised when she came hur- 
 riedly down the stairs and approached me with visible 
 agitation. 
 
 " Are yo$ sure that you are warm enough, and do 
 you feel quite comfortable ? " she said, nervously. 
 
 I assured her that I felt quite well, and would soon 
 be able to dispense with my heavy cane. " It makes 
 me think myself very old," I added, laughingly. 
 
 "Please do not imagine such nonsense," she said, 
 looking rather sad, and then going on after a little hesi- 
 tation. " Will you give Belle a message for me ? " 
 
 " Certainly, any thing you wish." 
 
 She colored painfully. " Tell her that I have cleared 
 my conscience of the question that troubled it for so 
 long. Remember, you have promised." 
 
 She was gone before I had time to raise an objection 
 to her singular request, and, penetrating the motive that 
 prompted her, I understood the cause of her strange 
 manner. I was still thinking over the subject when I 
 reached the depot, and took my seat in the cars on my 
 way home. 
 
 On arriving in New York I found that I had over-
 
 THE QUESTION ANSWEKED. 401 
 
 rated my strength. I was completely exhausted, and 
 therefore was obliged to put up for two days at a hotel. 
 I had written to ray sister, telling her when I should 
 start from "Washington, and declining any escort on the 
 score of feebleness. This unintentional exaggeration of 
 my state of health deceived them so much, that my non- 
 appearance at the appointed time gave them no uneasi- 
 ness ; and when at last I alighted at the station in my 
 own village, a bitter, desolate feeling came over me on 
 seeing that no friendly face awaited me. I had to re- 
 main there for some time, as the house was not within 
 walking distance for me, and there was no vehicle to be 
 had at the moment. However, once seated in a com- 
 fortable wagon on my way home, the beauty of the 
 weather and the scenery overcame the dreary sensation ; 
 and, when I lifted the latch of the gate, my weakness 
 was forgotten in the rush of joyful, thankful emotions 
 that overwhelmed me. 
 
 It was a lovely afternoon in September. A gentle 
 breeze was stirring the branches of the trees, causing 
 that peculiar rustling sound only heard in the quiet 
 country. With it camethe perfume of new-mown hay, 
 and the busy hum of insects. The flowers were sway- 
 ing to and fro, bending their pretty heads together, and, 
 
 
 
 as I leaned on the gate, the mingled scent of the helio- 
 tropes and petunias was. wafted toward me. The sun 
 was already setting in the west, and the front of the 
 house, the porch, and the veranda, were bathed in the 
 flood of its golden light. As I went wearily up the
 
 402 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 path, a shout of childish merriment broke the stillness, 
 and, looking toward the direction from which it came, a 
 charming picture met my sight. In 'the shadow of an 
 old chestnut-tree nurse Flo was sitting with baby Jack 
 in her arms, Aithur and Harry were pitching ball, 
 while Dash watched their movements with eager eyes, 
 and made vain efforts to catch it in his mouth as it 
 bounded over the grass. At each fresh attempt, little 
 Edith, who- stood by, would laugh aloud and clap her 
 hands with glee. I stopped almost involuntarily to en- 
 joy the bright scene, and the next moment the huge dog 
 came rushing toward me, barking with delight. As it 
 sprang fawning upon me, the children looked frightened, 
 but, suddenly guessing who I was, the two boys started 
 for the house, with the news of my arrival. A minute 
 after, my sister was flying down the walk with out- 
 stretched hands to welcome me, and my mother was 
 pressing forward with feeble steps, leaning, as I sup- 
 posed, on Mrs. "Weston's arm. When I raised my head, 
 after embracing her, I found myself face to face with 
 Mrs. Lecount. In my surprise I could not utter a word, 
 but her easy, unembarrassed manner quickly reassured 
 me. She did not know what I had heard. 
 
 " Thank Heaven, you are home safe at last ! " she 
 said, taking ray hand in hers, and smiling kindly. " We 
 were all beginning to feel anxious about yon, and Mr. 
 Masters had made up his mind to go in search of you 
 to-morrow." 
 
 " Now that we have you, John," my sister said,
 
 TUE QUESTION A^SWEEED. 403 
 
 ' we sLall keep you with us ; you have done your share 
 of the work, and we want you here." 
 
 " I am afraid that it will be a long time before I 
 shall be able to attend to any thing in the way of duty. 
 I shall give you trouble enough nursing me for many 
 weeks to come." 
 
 " Say rather, pleasure. And now, to begin with," 
 went on my sister, " do you resign yourself entirely into 
 our hands ? " 
 
 " Yes, I came home to be petted." 
 
 "Well, then, lie down on the sofa in the sitting-room, 
 and Belle will bring you some pillows, while I get your 
 supper ready. Molher'will sit beside you, and tell you 
 every thing that is going on in the village." 
 
 " Where is Mrs. Weston ? " I asked, as I obeyed or- 
 ders, and took possession of the soft, easy lounge. 
 
 " Gone to visit one of her pupils, who is sick. Dear 
 Edith, how delighted she will be to see you." 
 
 "Florida has taken all the children off to Mr. Mas- 
 ters', to tell him the news," said my mother. 
 
 While she talked cheerfully, on topics interesting and 
 new to me, I lay comfortably ensconced in my corner of 
 the room, feeling intensely happy, in spite of my utter 
 helplessness. It seemed as if, once at home, my strength 
 had all failed me, but, as it turned out, it was only the 
 exhaustion consequent on my day's travel. 
 
 My sister went about from room to room, throwing 
 me bright smiles whenever she passed my sofa ; mother 
 smoothed my hair, and tenderly arranged the pillows
 
 404: DR. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 under my head with gentle hands and caressing words. 
 In spite of my years, the soft touch upon my forehead, 
 and the loving expression of her eyes as they met mine, 
 exerted over me the same soothing influence that they 
 had ever done in my childish days. Mrs. Lecount had 
 resumed her seat in the window, and was busy knitting 
 a stocking, now and then taking part in the conversation. 
 Notwithstanding the gayety of manner which they 
 had all assumed, and the light, would-be-careless tones 
 of their voices, I penetrated the mask, and understood 
 the heavy, grief-struck hearts beneath it. My appear- 
 ance had shocked them all, and I did not wonder at the 
 fact. What my wounds had spared, the ravages of the 
 fever had taken away. I was worn to a skeleton, I was 
 haggard and pale, my eyes were dim and sunken, with 
 dark circles under them, and the streaks of gray were 
 quite visible in my hair. In the hospital, where I was 
 only one among many, the alteration in my looks had 
 not seemed so fearful nor so noticeable. When I left 
 that, and went among men in perfect health, the change 
 partly struck me, but I never fully realized it until I 
 found myself lying on the sofa in my mother's room, with 
 Mrs. Lecount sitting opposite to me. When I recalled 
 my face as I had seen it that morning reflected in one 
 of the hotel mirrors, and then looked at hers, I felt every 
 hope that I had been feeding upon for weeks die out of 
 my heart, and a feeling of bitter, wild despair take pos- 
 session of me. It seemed to me that the last remnant 
 of my youth was gone, that the two months of pain and
 
 THE QUESTION ANSWERED. 405 
 
 fever had added ten years to my age. And she I could 
 have fancied that the past years, so full of events, were 
 but a dream, and that she was still the innocent, thought- 
 less child, yet seeking refuge from danger at my mother's 
 hearth. 
 
 The return of rest and peace had restored the color 
 to her cheeks and the roundness to her form. The un- 
 natural restraint that she had imposed upon herself for 
 so long, had all disappeared. Her manner had regained 
 the softness which had been one of her greatest charms. 
 As I lay musing thus, only half conscious of what they 
 were saying for my entertainment, and watching the 
 pretty features partly turned toward me, I saw a tear fall 
 from the long dark eyelash, and glisten on the coarse 
 gray wool in her hands. 
 
 She rose hastily, and stood looking out of the win- 
 dow, without trusting herself to speak, while she tried 
 to overcome her emotion. How well I knew the" cause 
 of her grief! My broken health, my altered features, 
 might have excited her pity, even had she not held the 
 secret of my life. Perhaps the conviction that the dis- 
 
 * 
 
 tance between us had increased, and not diminished, was 
 coming home to her, as it had to me. 
 
 "Don't grow anxious about Arthur, Belle," said my 
 mother, mistaking her reason for leaving her seat. 
 
 " Belle, will you cut some flowers for the table ? " 
 called out my sister, a moment after. 
 
 " Oh, yes, do ! It is more than two years since John 
 saw a blossom out of our garden, or smelt the lemon-
 
 406 DK. WILMER'S LOVE. 
 
 verbena, his old favorite," added my mother. "There 
 is a pair of scissors on the bench," she continued, with- 
 out taking her eyes off my face. 
 
 Mrs. Lecount opened the glass door without answer- 
 ing,' and went out noiselessly. 
 
 My mother patted my hands and stroked my hair, 
 murmuring, as she did so, her thanks to the kind Provi- 
 dence that had restored her son to her in safety. 
 
 . Master Arthur Lecount interrupted the quiet by 
 darting into the room, and breathlessly confronting us. 
 
 " Where is little mamma ? " he asked, as he took off 
 his straw hat politely, and glanced around the place. 
 He was a picture of childish beauty standing thus, with 
 his flushed cheeks, his golden curls hanging about his 
 neck in becoming disorder, and shading the great, deep, 
 luminous brown eyes out of which the innocent soul 
 seemed to look. 
 
 " What is the matter, Arthur ? " asked my mother. 
 
 " Why, they are all coming, Mr. Masters, and Mrs. 
 Masters, and Mrs. Weston, and I ran home to tell you." 
 
 Catching my eyes, he hesitated and blushed. 
 
 " Come and speak to me," I said, holding out my 
 hand. 
 
 He took it in his, and looked attentively at my straps. 
 
 " Are you a soldier, like Uncle Victor ? He was 
 home, and I played soldier with his sword ; but he is 
 gone away again." 
 
 "Is he?" 
 
 " Yes. Do you know what he went to do ? " he
 
 THE QUESTION ANSWEBED. 407 
 
 whispered mysteriously, his eyes brightening with 
 wonder. 
 
 I shook my head. 
 
 "To kill rebs. That is what he said; but little 
 mamma won't let me say it out loud, nor tell Harry." . 
 
 He ran away the next moment, having caught a 
 glimpse of his mother's white dress in the garden. 
 
 " Where did he hear that name for his mother ? " I 
 asked. 
 
 " Oh ! that is original. It is his way of distinguish- 
 ing* her from his grandmother. He calls old Mrs. Le- 
 count his great mamma, and Belle his little mamma. 
 We think it quite amusing." 
 
 Mrs. Weston coming in with her children, followed 
 .by Mr. and Mrs. Masters, ended our tete-d-tete. For the 
 rest of the evening I played listener, while the others 
 discussed my affairs, and planned endless schemes for my 
 benefit. They wanted me to send in my resignation 
 the ensuing day, and I promised to consider the sub- 
 ject at leisure, not washing to give too hasty an answer. 
 
 Young Mrs. Lecount heard the noisy argument with- 
 out making any remark on the matter ; she only bent 
 closer over the little heads near her, and helped the 
 childish hands to build the block-houses. Mr. and Mrs. 
 Masters had regained their old spirits, and were as 
 happy and good-natured as ever. Mrs. Weston looked 
 stronger than I had expected to find her, and appeared 
 cheerful and contented. Baby Jack laughed and crowed, 
 and was danced up and down by every one in turn until
 
 408 DK. WILMEK'S LOVE. 
 
 his bright eyes closed with sleep, and Florida carried 
 him off to his cradle. The circle was enlarged after 
 supper by the arrival of a number of our neighbors, 
 and it was quite late when the party broke up. 
 
 Mr. and Mrs. Masters went home last, taking Mrs. 
 Lecount and her son with them. For a week my mother 
 and sister were busy entertaining the fiiends and ac- 
 quaintances that called on me, and then the house set- 
 tled into the usual quiet routine of daily life. My 
 mother was still feeble, and seldom left her room until 
 afternoon. I regained strength very slowly, and spent 
 the greater part of each day on the lounge in the sit- 
 ting-room, where the prattle of the children amused 
 me, and where I could read and write as the fancy 
 seized me. Mrs. Weston went every morning, with 
 cheerful looks and energetic steps, to the little school- 
 house, where she taught with gentle firmness the unruly 
 spirits that filled it. She was winning hearts on all 
 sides, and was so much occupied by her duties that her 
 mind had hardly time to dwell on past sorrows. The 
 encouragement that she had received had set her pride 
 at rest. Independence, and the means of rearing her 
 children as their father would have done, seemed possi- 
 ble. Several influential gentlemen in the neighborhood, 
 admiring her talents and method of teaching, had pro- 
 posed that she should open a private school, and had 
 guaranteed a number of pupils. My sister warmly ap- 
 proved of the plan, and offered her assistance in estab- 
 lishing the seminary.
 
 THE QUESTION ANSWERED. 409 
 
 The idea was, to have both boarding and day schol- 
 ars, and to engage other teachers as the number in- 
 creased. There were several houses suitable for the 
 purpose to let in the village, and, at the time I reached 
 home, the arrangements were being discussed at every 
 possible opportunity. I was at once -taken into the 
 council, and my opinions canvassed in turn. Mean- 
 while, the little ones, for whose welfare all these ques- 
 tions were debated, ran in blissful ignorance from garret 
 to cellar in the old house, and made the garden echo 
 with their merry voices. 
 
 Mrs. Lecount flitted about from place to place ; at one 
 time, sitting in my mother's room, conversing brightly, 
 as her busy fingers plied the needles ; and at another 
 dowfc at Mr. Lecount's, helping Miss Marie and the 
 others with their work. I saw but little of her, owing 
 to my invalid habits and the many calls that she had 
 on her time and purse. The past seemed to be buried 
 in oblivion by all, and I shrank with morbid dread 
 from making the least allusion to it, either in her pres- 
 ence or during her absence. She was, to all appear- 
 ances, very happy and contented in the quiet sphere of 
 life that she had chosen for herself. Her ambition and 
 pleasures centred in her child. His welfare was her 
 principal care, yet it did not engross her so entirely as 
 to make her blind or indifferent to the wants of others. 
 I learned that she was always ready to help those in 
 distress, ever the first to hasten to the homes visited by 
 trouble. She was a welcome guest among poor and 
 18
 
 410 DE. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 rich, and the pet of all the children in the neighbor- 
 hood. She would listen with a serious face and thought- 
 ful mind to the many lectures and debates on the edu- 
 cation of the little ones, given oracularly by the ma.trons 
 of the village ; and an hour afterward would be out in 
 the garden, entering with all the gayety of youth into 
 the merry games planned by Arthur and Harry. To 
 please them she could be a child again, and her arrival 
 among them as a playmate, in a low-crowned, wide- 
 leafed hat, and looped-up dress, was always hailed with 
 a shout of delight. 
 
 Hardly a day passed that I did not see her, or meet 
 her on the road, walking lightly along the grassy foot- 
 paths, carrying a basket filled with little luxuries for 
 the sick, with Arthur springing beside her, talking 
 gayly, and Dash, who always joined her at our gate, 
 bounding away in advance. Her manner, when we 
 thus met, was easy and unrestrained. AVe took up the 
 conversation at the point where we had broken off at 
 our last meeting, with all the quiet confidence of old 
 friendship. A stranger meeting, us would have taken 
 us for uncle and niece she so bright with youth and 
 health, chatting earnestly and suiting her quick steps 
 to my slow, invalid pace, for I had not yet relinquished 
 my cane. 
 
 I had partly resumed ray practice. People came to 
 see me in my house, and consulted me, so that my time 
 did not hang heavily on my hands. I had sent in my 
 resignation, finding that I could not rely upon return-
 
 THE QUESTION ANSWERED. 411 
 
 ing to the array at any stated time, and knowing that I 
 could rejoin it at pleasure. 
 
 I had been home for three weeks. One pleasant 
 afternoon I left the office, where I had been occupied 
 for some hours, and strolled into the sitting-room, in- 
 tending to -lie down there for a short rest, as I felt 
 rather tired. I was about taking possession of the 
 lounge, when my sister put her head into the room. 
 
 " John, I have fixed your pillows on the parlor sofa. 
 Jane is coming in here to sweep and dust ; that is, if you 
 will not mind the change." 
 
 " I believe I shall enjoy it," I said. " The parlor 
 ought to be cooler at this hour." 
 
 " I think it is," she answered, following me across 
 the hall, into the large, quiet room. 
 
 She saw that I was comfortably settled for a sleep, 
 darkened the window nearest to me, and opened the 
 blinds of one at some distance, that I might see the 
 sunlight, and feel the fresh breeze that was stirring the 
 flowers beneath. It was a wide, old-fashioned apart- 
 ment, with windows on two sides of it, out of which 
 one might step on the broad piazza, covered with vines, 
 that extended around the house. From my place in the 
 shaded corner, where I was almost concealed by a stand 
 of flowers, I could enjoy their sweet perfumes, and 
 watch the sunbeams darting into the room, softly play- 
 ing over the carpet, producing curious effects of light 
 and shade in the pictures, and causing fantastic shapes 
 to dance upon the walls.
 
 412 DB. WILMEB'S LOVE. 
 
 I was sinking into a doze, "when a sound of stops, 
 approaching along the piazza, roused me, and the next 
 moment a shadow fell on the floor, and Mrs. Lecount, 
 coining in, advanced to the table without perceiving 
 me. She had a basket of flowers in her hand which she 
 placed on it, and then stood arranging them, at the same 
 time humming a favorite air. I lay motionless, drink- 
 ing in the intoxication of her presence, while every 
 drop of blood in my body seemed to rush to my 
 heart. 
 
 She was dressed in her favorite style, that I remem- 
 bered so well soft white muslin, with violet ribbons 
 ornamenting it, and a narrow band of the same color 
 holding the drooping curls in their place, and drawing 
 them away from the white forehead. Her appearance, 
 so youthful, so lovely, so free from all care, recalled a 
 host of memories some sweet, some very bitter. As 
 she went singing out of the room, looking for my sister, 
 I buried my face in the pillows with a heavy sob, and 
 pressed back the hot, blinding tears that filled my eyes. 
 With a passionate impulse, I rose and hurried to the 
 long mirror. While I stood gazing sadly at my own 
 reflection, with its sunken cheeks, dimmed eyes,- and 
 gray hair, brushed carelessly back from the temples, 
 voices in the hall arrested my attention. 
 
 " Why, indeed, Belle, he is in the parlor," my sister 
 said, in surprised tones. 
 
 " Well, I shall look again," was the answer, in Mrs. 
 Lecount's clear accents.
 
 TIIE QUESTION ANSWERED. 413 
 
 She turned the handle of the door as she spoke, and 
 met my eyes as I turned away from the glass. 
 
 " Why, you are here, after all ! " she exclaimed. " I 
 must have disturbed you. I stopped in with some 
 flowers for Edith, it is her birthday; and besides, I 
 wanted to see you." 
 
 "What is the matter?" I asked, expecting to hear 
 that Arthur had cut his finger. 
 
 " I had a letter this morning from Pauline. She says 
 you have a message for me." 
 
 I drew back confounded. She raised her bright, un- 
 puspicious eyes to my face. 
 
 " What is it ? Please tell me." 
 
 " She told me to say to you that her conscience was 
 cleared of the question that had so troubled it for many 
 years." 
 
 I spoke slowly, unprepared for the effect of my 
 words. 
 
 Mrs. Lecount blushed painfully, and then became 
 deadly pale. 
 
 " Then you have forgiven me, now that you know 
 all, for the misery I made you suffer." 
 
 She looked at me sadly, imploringly, and trembled 
 with agitation as she spoke ; then turning away, she 
 covered her face with her hands. I caught them in 
 mine violently ; the long-suppressed love overpowered 
 me. It burst forth in mad, wild words, for I was des- 
 : perate and despairing; only conscious that passion had 
 swept away all scruples, and that I was speaking from
 
 414 DE. WILMEE'S LOVE. 
 
 my heart, giving words to the hopes and doubts that 
 had tortured me for years. 
 
 As I ceased, and gazed in her face, expecting only 
 sympathy, perhaps indifference, I was surprised to find 
 her eyes cast down, and a timid blush of pleasure steal- 
 ing over her cheeks. 
 
 " Is it possible," I exclaimed, " that you can care for 
 me ; that you may yet love me ? " 
 
 Her answer was, to throw her arms around my neck, 
 and nestle her head against my breast. 
 
 " Do nothing rashly," I said, afraid to believe in my 
 great happiness, and clasping her tightly, lest it should 
 be indeed a dream. " Think, my child, think of my 
 age, and of your youth. See ! my hair is gray now. I 
 love you, but I may not be able to make you happy." 
 
 She smoothed the hair from my face, and raising her- 
 self suddenly, succeeded in reaching it, and pressing her 
 lips upon it softly. Her eyes sought mine with the old 
 confiding, childlike light in them, as she whispered 
 
 " To be near you is to be happy." 
 
 "When we went into the sitting-room together some 
 hours afterward, ray sister, who was putting preserves 
 into a dish, looked up from her employment with a 
 quick, searching glance. 
 
 " So you two understand each other at last," she said 
 abruptly, her voice trembling with joy. " "Well, I should 
 think it was about time." 
 
 My mother dropped her knitting, in her utter aston- 
 ishment.
 
 THE QUESTION ANSWERED. 41f> 
 
 " My little daughter," slie exclaimed, as Belle threw 
 her arms around her, and laid her face, so bright and 
 loving, against the wrinkled cheek, "now we shall 
 keep John at home." 
 
 We were married in the following spring, and I took 
 my wife, at her own request, to revisit the many scenes 
 associated in our minds with such curious memories and 
 conflicting emotions. We went over the old ground at 
 Niagara, and I was surprised at her vivid recollection 
 of the most trifling circumstances' that had occurred 
 there little things that I had long since forgotten. Re- 
 turning, we spent some time with her friends in New 
 York ; and one day, while walking up Fifth Avenue, we 
 came face to face with Mr. Hammond, looking as elegant, 
 as well dressed, and as well to do as ever. From the 
 fact that he was leaning on the arm of a delicate young 
 man, of rather weak-minded appearance, although clad 
 in the latest and most costly style, we concluded that 
 he had found another victim for his artifices. My wife 
 hastily drew down her veil, and tightened her grasp on 
 my arm. Mr. Hammond, fortunately, did not recognize 
 us, or pretended not to, as I am inclined to believe. He 
 was talking fluently, in his easy manner, and I could 
 not suppress a sigh of pity for him when I thought of 
 his talents, which, if well directed, would have made him 
 a blessing to his fellow-beings, and remembered the un- 
 worthy object on which he employed them. We also 
 ascertained that Mrs. Parker was in Europe. Unable to
 
 416 DE. WZLMEfifo LOVE. 
 
 resist the strong feeling of disgust and horror which her 
 own conduct had raised against her, she had gone abroad 
 in search of the society that was denied her at home. 
 
 Soon after our return, Mrs. Weston moved to a pleas- 
 ant house in the village, where she opened her school 
 with the most encouraging success. The deep content- 
 ment that independence brings is visible in her appear- 
 ance. Often, as I sit writing in my office, I pause to lis- 
 ten to her light step coming up the garden-path, and her 
 soft voice addressing gay speeches to a certain very hap- 
 py old lady, who is generally to be found seated near 
 the window of the room, knitting small white socks for 
 baby-feet. Quietness does not always reign: a stout 
 young gentleman, who is called Harry "Weston Wilmer, 
 monopolizes a large portion of his mother's time, and 
 requires a great deal of amusement. Nothing makes 
 him laugh so loud as the sight of Arthur and the little 
 Westous at play ; thus, every day, merry games are in- 
 stituted for his entertainment, and childish feet dance 
 over the floors, while childish voices echo through the 
 house. 
 
 Now, when I ride home in the twilight, sometimes sor- 
 rowful and perplexed, often tired, both bodily and men- 
 tally, the old dreams of impossible happiness come true. 
 A slight, graceful form hastens to meet me, soft arms are 
 clasped around my neck, a loved face is lifted to mine, 
 and I read my welcome in the happy light shining in 
 the deep, truthful eyes. 
 
 THE
 
 LOUSA MUHLBACH'S 
 
 HISTORICAL NOYELS. 
 
 A few Words by the Author in justification of the His- 
 torical Romance. 
 
 The Historical Romance has its great task and its 
 great justification, which is disputed by only those 
 who either have not understood or will not under- 
 stand its nature. 
 
 The Historical Romance has, if I may be allowed 
 so to speak, four several objects for which to strive. 
 
 Its first object is, to throw light upon the dark 
 places of history, necessarily left unclear by the histo- 
 rian. Poetry has the right and duty of setting facts 
 in a clear light, and of illuminating the darkness "by 
 its sunny beams. The poetry of the Romance writer 
 seeks to deduce historical characteristics from histori- 
 cal facts, and to draw from the spirit of history an 
 elucidation of historical characters, so that the writer 
 may be able to detect their inmost thoughts and feel- 
 ings, and in just and sharp traits to communicate 
 them to others. 
 
 The second task of the Historical Romance is, to 
 group historical characters according to their internal 
 natures, and thus to elucidate and illustrate history. 
 The illustration then leads to the third task, which is 
 the discovery and exposition of the motives which im-
 
 2 LOUISA MUHLBACH 8 HISTORICAL NOVELS. 
 
 pel individual historical personages to the performance 
 of great historical acts, and from outwardly, apparently 
 insignificant events in their lives to deduce their 
 inmost thoughts and natures, and represent them 
 clearly to others. 
 
 Thence follows \hefourth task : the illustration of 
 historical facts by a romance constructed in the spirit 
 of the history. This fourth and principal task is the 
 presentation of history in a dramatic form with ani- 
 mated descriptions ; upon the foundation of history 
 to erect the temple of poesy, which must nevertheless 
 be pervaded and illuminated by historic truth. From 
 this it naturally follows that it is of very little conse- 
 quence whether the personages of the Historical Ro- 
 mance actually spoke the words or performed the acts 
 attributed to them; it is only necessary that those 
 words and deeds should be in accordance with the 
 spirit and character of such historical personages, and 
 that the writer should not attribute to them what 
 they could not have spoken or done. In Historical 
 Romance, when circumstances or events are presented 
 in accordance with historical tradition ; when the 
 characters are naturally described, they bear with 
 them their own justification, and Historical Romance 
 has need of no further defence. 
 
 Historical Romance should be nothing but an illus- 
 tration of history. If the drawing, grouping, col- 
 oring, and style of such an illustration of any given 
 historical epoch is admitted to be true, then the illus- 
 tration rises to the elevation of work of art, w r orthy 
 01 a place beside the historical picture, and as equally 
 usesul.
 
 D. APPLET ON & CO: S PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 JOSEPH II. AND HIS COURT. 
 
 HISTORICAL 
 BY LOUISA KLUKLBACH, 
 
 Author of " Frederick the Great and His Court " " Berlin and 
 
 Sans-Souci," " Merchant of Berlin," &c., &c. 
 
 TRANSLATED FROM THE GEKXAX, 
 
 BY ADELAIDE DE V. CHAUDRON. 
 
 \ 
 
 1 vol., Svo. With Illustrations. Paper Cover, $1.50; 
 Cloth, $2.00. 
 
 " In ' Joseph II.' she transcends her previous efforts, not only in the 
 etory wrought out in a masterly manner, but the real characters that figure 
 in it have been carefully studied from the detailed chronicles of the time." 
 Philadelphia Inquirer. 
 
 " T%e serie^s of Historical Novels by Miss Mfihlbach are winning for 
 their author a high distinction among a class of writers, of which Sir Walter 
 Scott has stood at the head. The events of history which are interwoven in 
 the romances she has written, are not distorted and falsified for the purpose 
 of making a sensation, but are presented with a truthfulness which gives 
 a solid value to the scries. The wlume before us is literally one of thriiliim 
 interest" Fulton County Republican. 
 
 " We regard these books as among the best and most entertaining novels 
 of the fay." Springfield SepubUcan. 
 
 "The novel is divided into six books, and includes the very largo 
 number, of one hund/ed and seventy-six chapters ; yet the interest is BO well *, . 
 kept up that the reader never tires or notic.es with regret its unusual length. 
 Courier. 
 
 " This Is an historical novel of intense and thrilling power. The reader is 
 at once fascinated and held spell-bound nntil the volume is completed. 
 Miss Mflhibach's novels have risen into* favor vcryrapidly, and thie fact atone 
 gives a good indication of their real merit. The book is not of the false 
 sensational kind, but the interest of the reader is chained from the first 
 chapter. 1 'Galetburg Free Pret*.
 
 D. APPLETON & Off 3. PUBLICATIONS. 
 
 AN HISTORICAL NOVEL. 
 By IL, . 
 
 Author of " Joseph n. and Hi3 Court," " Frederick the Groat and 
 His Court," "Berlin and Sans-Souci," &o., &c. 
 
 TRANSLATED FBOX THE GEBXAH, 
 
 % 
 
 By AMOfiY COFFIN, M. D. 
 1 vol, 12mo. Cloth, $2 00. 
 
 ' There is not a dull chapter in it. The interest of the 
 reader is well maintained from the beginning to the close, and 
 we know of no book of similar character which would while 
 away an afternoon more pleasantly." TJtita, Herald. 
 
 u We have rarely read a more fascinating work, or one in 
 which the interest, from the opening chapter to the close, \raa 
 more thoroughly sustained." Jersey City Daily Times. 
 t " We like this story better thai^ither of Muhlbach's works 
 which previously had fallen in our way. They are meritorious 
 productions, but this excels them in interest of matter as 
 well as in vivacity of style." Boston Traveller. 
 
 " This is one of the captivating series of historical novels, 
 or really of novel histories by Muhlbach, and one of the most 
 readable books of the season." Baltimore Gazette. 
 
 " The story is exceedingly interesting and possess'es points 
 which will render it highly popular among all classes. We 
 look forward with genuine pleasure to the publication of more 
 volumes by the same author, being convinced that they will 
 undoubtedly become the most popular of historical novels " 
 Georgetown Courier.
 
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